Scotland appoints first female prisons chief

A former prison governor has been appointed as Scotland’s first female Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Wendy Sinclair-gieben, who takes over from David Strang, has a background in justice in the UK and Australia, including terms as a prison director at HMP Kilmarnockandmanaging a facility for young male offenders in Perth, Western Australia.

Ms Sinclair-gieben said: “I see this role as a culmination of a long and rewarding career in justice, and I particularly look forward to building on my predecessor’s significant achievements in the future.”

Justicesecretarymichael Matheson said: “Wendy Sinclair-gieben brings a wealth of experience in the justice sector, a deep understanding of prisons and the wider justice context, and a commitment to a public sector ethos.”