National Facility

HMP & YOI Stirling will be the new national Women’s Facility and replaces the existing HMP & YOI Cornton Vale. It is due to open in summer 2023.

The purpose of this facility is to provide a safe and secure environment for women in custody who present a significant risk to the public and/or have the most complex needs. It will have small distinct accommodation areas, with the flexibility to accommodate the needs of all adult and young women. The facility includes: an enhanced needs area to support those women requiring more intensive mental health support; a Separation and Reintegration Unit (SRU), Progression Unit, Mother and Baby Unit and an Assessment Centre.

Evidence-based research indicates that smaller accommodation areas are desirable and more effective in achieving better outcomes for women. Therefore, the environment is designed to encourage and support transformational change, by adopting a trauma informed approach which takes account of gender. 

Images taken March 2022.