A decision has been reached on the future of Peterhead Prison - but Scottish Executive ministers will not reveal it until MSPs return to parliament on 2 September.

However it is understood that the controversial prison will not be closed as part of the executive's blueprint for Scotland's jails.

Cabinet ministers were considering recommendations on the prison system, which include plans to close the world-renowned unit for treating serious sex offenders.

A major campaign was undertaken with cross-party support to save the Aberdeenshire jail.

I think that the opposition parties would be the first to cry foul if parliament was not first to be told of decisions that are made

Jim Wallace Justice Minister

Justice Minister Jim Wallace said he was "impressed' by the arguments and it is thought he is likely to announce a U-turn.

It is understood that he had already agreed the change of heart with First Minister Jack McConnell, but needed approval from the full cabinet.

Mr Wallace said: "I certainly recognise the strength of feeling there is in the Peterhead community and Aberdeenshire Council made very strong representations as did the prisoners' wives.

"But I think that the opposition parties would be the first to cry foul if parliament was not first to be told of decisions that are made."

The change is likely to result in the executive scaling back plans to build new private jails.

Several newspapers reported on Friday that ministers had backed down over the proposal to close Peterhead, which holds about 300 sex offenders.

Sex crimes

The closure was recommended in the Prisons Estates Review in March.

The review also called for the closure of Low Moss jail near Bishopbriggs, in East Dunbartonshire and the construction of three private prisons.

The Victorian prison at Peterhead has built up an international reputation as a model for the treatment of those jailed for sex crimes.

Proposals to close the jail were met with anger from local people, leading legal figures and prison staff.

A petition calling for the facility to be retained was signed by almost 200 inmates, while prison officers' wives also campaigned against closure.

A campaign was mounted to save the jail

The public consultation process on the plans produced only one letter in favour of closing Peterhead.

Justice committee convener Christine Grahame said she hoped that "political posturing" would not threaten the prison's future.

She said that the committee had recommended unanimously that Peterhead Prison should have a long-term sex offenders unit - either refurbished or a new build.

"We represent the parliament when we say that and we certainly hope they (the executive) mean what they said in the press a week ago," she told BBC Radio Scotland.

Sanity plea

"This was a consultation exercise and they (the executive) have consulted.

"There is no shame in saying 'well we may have got this wrong and will look at it again'."

Derek Turner, of the Scottish Prison Officers' Association (SPOA), said he hoped the jail would remain open and that "sanity" would prevail.

He said the work done at Peterhead with sex offenders was "critical to the people of Scotland".