NOVEMBER 25, 2009: A total of 16 inmates at Greenock Prison contracted swine flu after an outbreak of the virus swept through the jail.

The prisoners at Gateside all tested positive for the H1N1 bug and were placed in isolation within Ailsa Hall in a bid to prevent the virus spreading.

Health chiefs provided management at the prison and gave prison officers advice about how to deal with the situation.

Speaking at the time, a spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: “We have had 16 positive cases and they are in isolation in the Ailsa Hall.

“We have had no more cases since the testing and the situation is not causing concern at the moment.

“We are liaising with the health board and we are taking all the appropriate advice from them.”

Last week's look back: Scotland fans were gearing up for Euro 2008 qualifier

The mother of one prisoner told the Tele she had found out about the swine flu outbreak when she went to visit her son at the end of the previous week.  

The woman, who did not want to be named, also raised concerns about the virus possibly being passed onto visitors and taken out into the community.

She said: “I was told one of the wings was completely shut with swine flu.

“I was just a bit concerned because there wasn’t any handwash and it could end up being passed on to the prisoners’ families.”

Prison bosses stressed they did have handwash dispensers in place to help contain the virus.

The SPS spokesman added: “We have anti-bacterial handwash on entry and exit points in the jail and we are advising people to use this.

“Obviously, there is also a toilet at the visiting area which can be used for handwashing.

“We will take any further action if advised by the health authorities.”