Prisoner who was let out 'by mistake' is now back in jail

A prisoner released from Scotland's only private jail in error was today back behind bars after being traced by police.

A prisoner released from Scotland's only private jail in error was today back behind bars after being traced by police.

An administrative error on Wednesday led to the release of James Walker Montgomery, 33, a remand prisoner at Bowhouse Prison in Kilmarnock.

News of the mistake only emerged yesterday and was immediately condemned by politicians who criticised the Government for using private prisons.

Mr Montgomery had been being detained in the year-old prison awaiting trial in connection with an allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said he was found in the early hours at a house on Morven Avenue, Kilmarnock, and had now been returned to prison.

The Scottish National Party's justice spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham said the incident showed that Labour's continuation of a Conservative policy was not working.

Kilmarnock Prison, Scotland's newest jail, opened its doors in March 1999.

It was built under the Government's Private Finance Initiative and its day-to-day running handed over on a 25-year basis to Premier Prison Services.

Last month the jail was given a mixed report by the Scottish Chief Inspector of Prisons, Clive Fairweather.