A new prison was opened in Peterhead today with arrival of the first batch of residents. With the opening of the prison the former prison in Aberdeen has been closed. I thought I should mark the occasion by checking up on the conditions in the old Aberdeen prison.

I was shocked by the conditions in which these inmates find themselves. Chained up and with no electric lighting or adequate toilet facilities. I did not dare to approach much closer in case they were fitter than they appear to be, and I was uncertain as to the length of the chains.

I had nothing to offer them but sympathy and the hope conditions would be slightly better in the new Peterhead facility. So I returned to the sunshine of Union Street and bid farewell to the Tolbooth.