THE governor of Greenock Prison has sought to allay fears over the future of the 112-year-old institution by declaring there are 'no current plans' to close it.

Morag Stirling issued the statement after an MSP — who has raised questions about the poor structural state of the jail — said that shutting it was 'almost inevitable'.

Labour politician Katy Clark has written to justice secretary Keith Brown amid what she called 'absolutely terrifying warnings', following comments made by Scotland's chief inspector of prisons.

But Ms Stirling says that phased work to improve the condition of the prison is due to begin this year.

The governor told the Telegraph: "There are no current plans to close HMP Greenock.

"We have a programme of work planned to take place over the next three years, which will improve working and living conditions for our staff and the people in our care.

"I look forward to providing more details as we move through each phase of the programme."

Ms Stirling added: "It was pleasing to see the chief inspector recognise what I am fortunate enough to see every day — the relationships between staff and those in our care is 'excellent'.

"Those relationships are key to rehabilitation, supporting mental health and wellbeing, and our work preparing people for their return to the community."

The Telegraph revealed in April 2021 that the jail was operating at a fraction of its capacity after 40 cells were declared unfit for human habitation due to water ingress.

This came just four months after we told how plans to replace the decaying Edwardian structure had been shelved until at least 2026 — despite £8m being spent on a proposed site in the south west of the town way back in 2011.

The Scottish Prison Service has decided that replacements for Barlinnie and Inverness prisons are more of a priority.

West Scotland MSP, and Baroness, Ms Clark — who is due to visit Greenock Prison this month — said recently: "The fact is that the inspectors believe the cost of maintaining the prison at this point outweighs its value, such are the significant health and safety concerns.

"However, the economic impact of the prison's almost inevitable closure is barely being discussed, given it will mean the loss or relocation of hundreds of jobs.

"This will be disastrous at a time when people are struggling and Inverclyde Council is reporting significant financial difficulties due to budget cuts."

Inverclyde's SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has accused his Labour opponent of 'politicking at its worst' by using 'selective quoting' regarding the prison.

In a letter published in the Telegraph on December 30, Mr McMillan added: 'I have continually raised the issue regarding a replacement for HMP Greenock and as Tele readers will know, the Scottish Government have previously said that a new prison is proposed to progress from 2026.

'I know investment is going into the current prison but this is to keep it operational until it is replaced.

'The undeniable fact, that may be an uncomfortable truth for some, is that budget cuts including the capital budget from Westminster have had a negative impact upon capital projects.'

Prison chiefs spent millions of pounds of public money on acquiring the site of the former Greenock High School off Inverkip Road for a proposed new prison more than a decade ago.

The Scottish Government the SPS will receive £97m in capital funding to continue the modernisation of the prison estate in 2023/24.