DOUBTS have emerged about the planned £75 million women’s prison in Greenock — and it may be built for men instead.

Sources claimed today that the Scottish Government is poised to pull the plug on the Inverkip Road project — only days before the contract for building is put out to tender some time this month.

The uncertainty follows our report last week that more than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Scottish justice secretary to halt work.

The Edinburgh Women for Independence group are unhappy at plans for the facility because they claim it is not the right way to deal with women offenders.

Sources say that recent changes within the Scottish Government cabinet could now result in a U-turn over how women offenders should be punished and rehabilitated.

It’s claimed that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her new justice secretary Michael Matheson believe that incarcerating women in such a large establishment would be unsuitable, and that it would be better to place them in a small, community setting.

There is speculation that Mr Matheson may announce that the project should not go ahead, despite around £4 million having been spent buying the land from Inverclyde Council, demolishing the former Greenock High and preparing the site.

If he does so, the Tele understands that a campaign will be launched to use the site as a replacement for Greenock’s Gateside jail, which is over a hundred years old.

The Scottish Government today denied any knowledge of plans to walk away from building a women’s prison, and insisted a review of prisons was still continuing.

A spokesman said that, in line with recommendations made by the Commission on Women Offenders, the government ‘are working closely with local partners to deliver robust community sentences and services that are appropriate for women who offend, and to ensure that, for those women who are sent to prison, the environment and facilities are suited to their needs’.

He added: “The cabinet secretary for justice is considering the final configuration of the new prison estate, as he recently indicated to the Justice Committee, and this consideration remains ongoing.” The Tele understands that Inverclyde Council officials are not aware of any change in plans for the women’s prison.

Edinburgh Women for Independence say that building the new jail goes against the government’s own advice on women offenders, and is not supported by charities which work with female prisoners.

They say: “This plan is against the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders, chaired by Eilish Angiolini, and is being pursued against all expert evidence and opinion.” HMP Inverclyde is earmarked to replace Cornton Vale in Stirling, with construction expected to start on 1 September this year and an opening date set for June 2017.

No comment was available from the Scottish Prison Service.