The bidding process for firms to design and build a new £75m women's prison in Greenock has opened.

It is understood the Scottish Prison Service is looking for five companies to be involved in the construction process.

The new 300-cell HMP Inverclyde is expected to replace the country's only female prison – Corton Vale near Stirling – and will house high-risk and long-term female inmates.

The prison was originally proposed to replace Gateside Prison, also in Greenock, but this was later changed as part of a 'shake-up' in the way female prisoners are treated. The new facility will be located on Inverkip Road, which was formerly the site of St Columba's High School.


It will accommodate for 350 female offenders, while associated prisoner activity facilities, visits facilities, staff facilities and admin facilities are also included in the proposals.

An invitation to tender is expected to be issued to the selected firms in early January, while the prison itself is expected to open in 2017.

Further information can be found on the Public Contracts Scotland website here.

(JP/IT)