Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff & Buchan SNP candidate Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the commitment made in his party's manifesto to the long-term future of Peterhead Prison and its rebuilding.
Mr Stevenson was speaking following the launch of the Scottish National Party's manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections yesterday. The SNP candidate, who is also his party's spokesperson on prisons, has been campaigning since he was elected in 2001 for the prison which resulted in the then Justice Minister Jim Wallace overturning the decision to close it.
Most recently, Mr Stevenson met with Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson with members of the Prison Officers' Partners Committee in February to continue to press the case for Peterhead Prison.
Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:
"Obviously I am delighted that my party has signalled its commitment to Peterhead prison in this way by including this in the SNP Manifesto.
"People in the North-east are aware of the SNP's relentless dedication to this campaign. They can be sure of rapid action on this issue from an SNP Justice Minister in the next term.
"However, a decision before the election by the present government could have ended this unnecessary delay. This is a clear reflection of the Lab-Lib coalition's lack of commitment to the criminal justice system and to prison staff employed in our area."
