MSP Rhoda Grant said Inverness was not "fit for purpose"

Highlands and Islands list MSP, Rhoda Grant, said she will challenge Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to tackle overcrowding at the prison.

She said figures showed that during one month it was 50% over capacity.

The Labour MSP said the building close to the city centre was not "fit for purpose".

She said the government had decided not to proceed with the previous administration's plans for a new prison at Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.

Ms Grant added: "They have also announced replacement prisons for Aberdeen and Peterhead, ignoring the problems in Inverness."

'Super prison'

Last month, plans for a �100m prison to replace Low Moss near Bishopbriggs to be run by the private sector were scrapped.

However, the government said the 700-cell jail will instead be run by the Scottish Prison Service.

It also confirmed the building of a new "super-prison" for the north east.