The use of private jails for remand prisoners in Scotland has been backed by a former Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Clive Fairweather, who recently left his post after eight years in the job, also said he was confident slopping out would soon be a thing of the past.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Eye-to-Eye programme he said the use of private jails would help solve problems with the growing number of remand prisoners.

He said: "First of all they will be able to get the prison built very quickly, perhaps more quickly than the public sector and we need to do that in a hurry because there are more and more people being remanded into custody.

Clive Fairweather was reflecting on his tenure

"But the other point is those on remand haven't been convicted of an offence and they don't need a regime to change their ways as serious criminals, so I think it is perhaps appropriate that private citizens are looking after private prisoners."

Mr Fairweather, writing in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper, also claimed jail chiefs at Cornton Vale were more concerned about a "cult of lesbianism" months before a spate of suicides.

He said he was told the main problem at the country's only all-women prison was sexual relations between inmates shortly after he took up his post eight years ago.

However, between 1995 and 1998, Cornton Vale, near Stirling, hit the headlines when eight inmates committed suicide in their cells.

'Romanian orphanage'

Mr Fairweather, who left his post on Friday, said: "The manifestation at Scotland's only female institution took the form of three hangings and a number of suicide attempts in as many months, whereas I had been told the main problem was a cult of lesbianism.

"A fourth death caused me to abruptly cancel a planned visit to Longriggend Remand Institution and instead an expanded inspection team was rushed to Cornton Vale.

Mr Fairweather found problems at Cornton Vale

"Once more I was shocked, this time by the near bedlam conditions found in some areas, such as the remand block.

"Comparisons with a Romanian orphanage sprang to mind as I listened to desperate groups of frail and bewildered women."

Mr Fairweather, a former SAS officer, said the solution to Cornton Vale's problems was to reduce the number of petty offenders sent there.

Commenting on the changes needed in the prison service, he called for a greater range of credible alternatives to custody and endorsed the use of drug courts and electronic tagging.