Priority’

the open prison benefits the criminal justice system in the long-term.

He said: “The purpose of this jail is about testing folk to see how they handle being ready for release.

“We provide a support network rather than just pushing somebody out of the door with no support whatsoever.

“If we didn’t allow people day release, in the long-term there would be more police resources used as a consequence, as inmates would be far more likely to fall back into criminality.

“This is about trying to reintegrate people, to make them stay free from crime, to contribute to a safer Scotland and get a job.

“Supporting people is so important because if things go wrong for folk, people revert to type — and for some people that’s criminality.

“If you ask offenders what they want out of life, a majority will tell you they want exactly the same as you and I have.

“They want a job, a house and a family.

“But, some people might not even have an address to go to.

“It’s quite challenging. If people have been in custody for a long time, they’ll have a memory of what it was like before they came into custody. They leave and the world’s moved on.

“They are going to have to get out and get a job or study — decide what to do with their lives.

“After years of being told what to do in prison, for a lot of folk that becomes too much.”

Tomorrow, Mr Hodge discusses his future plans for Castle Huntly. We also hear from an inmate who is preparing for release early next year.

Andy Hodge pictured outside Castle Huntly and, inset, an aerial view of part of the open prison facility.