THE 'urgent' need to replace Greenock's crumbling century-plus old jail has been highlighted by national inspectors.

The failing facility — which has scores of cells declared unfit for human habitation — is one of a number of custodial centres which have been labelled as 'clearly ill-suited to a modern prison system'.

Chief inspector of prisons Wendy Sinclair-Gieben said that HMP Greenock was among six jails which fall into this category, including Barlinnie and Inverness.

However, despite plans mooted more than a decade ago to replace it, the Scottish Government won't provide funding for at least another five years, as priority is being given to replacing Barlinnie and Inverness.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons Scotland (HMIPS) says Greenock Prison is 'in urgent need of replacement'.

Ms Sinclair-Gieben said: "Many of Scotland's prisons are modern and fit-for‑purpose, but Scotland still has some antiquated Victorian prison establishments that are breaching human rights guidelines on cell size, are expensive to maintain, do not provide for the changing demographics of an ageing population, and have limited surge capacity."

She added: The concerns about a rising prisoner population and overcrowding simply reinforce the need to ensure appropriate investment in vital new prison infrastructure..."

A Telegraph investigation this year revealed that 40 cells within Gateside were out of commission as a result of water ingress.

Prison chiefs spent £8m of public money buying the site of the former Greenock High School off Inverkip Road several years ago to build a new jail but have since done nothing to develop it.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe said: "The call from HM chief inspector of prisons for action to address the issues at Greenock and other Scottish prisons again highlights the failure of the Scottish Government to come up with a proper plan to ensure that Scotland has a prison estate fit for the 21st century.

"The Scottish Parliament, including Greenock's MSP, should be holding the Scottish Government to account for this failure."

In a letter to Councillor McCabe earlier this year, justice secretary Mr Brown, said: "The Scottish Prison Service remains committed to a replacement for HMP Greenock and has already made significant investment in the site.

"As we have previously communicated, given the current significant financial and operational pressures, alongside other prison investment priorities, it is unlikely that SPS will be able to commence work on any HMP Greenock replacement before 2025/26."