Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
With the publication of the results of the consultation on the future of North East prisons showing three quarters of respondents supporting a new build prison for the North East, local Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has hailed this as an important step forward in the campaign to deliver a re-build for Peterhead Prison.
He commented:
"Although it has been a long time coming, Peterhead will welcome the substantial support shown by this consultation for a new build to replace the Victorian prison in the town.
"The option to build a new prison on the large area of unused land within the existing Peterhead prison walls is a clear 'winner' with half respondents making that their first choice. About half as many again would prefer a green-field site. Together they constitute a massive vote of confidence in the work undertaken by dedicated staff at our prison.
"We now need the Scottish Prison to press ahead with the preliminary planning for a new prison. While the money for the new prison is unlikely to be available until 2007, it is vital that the preparatory steps commence quickly so that conditions can be provided that will further improve the vital rehabilitation process undertaken at Peterhead.
"I congratulate all who have campaigned for the new build, particularly the 'STOP The Closure of Peterhead Prison' group, who contributed so much to ensure that we have moved so far. No other community in Scotland has shown any interest in taking over Peterhead Prison's role. The time for delivery approaches."
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
