New chief inspector of prisons appointed

The Scottish executive has announced that the Very Reverend Dr
Andrew McLellan is to be the next chief inspector of prisons.

McLellan served as moderator of the general assembly of the
Church of Scotland in 2000/2001, and is a former chaplain to
Cornton Vale, Scotland’s only prison for women. He has been a
regular broadcaster on radio and television, and was until recently
chairperson of the Scottish religious advisory committee of the
BBC.

Dr McLellan replaces Clive Fairweather, who has been an
outspoken critic of the conditions in many prisons and the quality
of the senior management at the Scottish Prison Service during his
tenure.

In spite of being told by the executive last year that his
contract would not be renewed, Fairweather reapplied for his post.
The decision not to be reappoint Fairweather will continue to
attract controversy with many commentators believing he has been
dumped because of his open criticisms of the prison system.

Dr McLellan will take over the post in October, and his
appointment is for four years in the first instance.