THE first prisoner to die after contracting coronavirus in Scotland has been named.
John Angus was being held at HMP Edinburgh and it is understood he had been infected with Covid-19.
The 66-year-was convicted in 2011 of drugging and assaulting a woman in Aberdeen and breaching a court order.
Asked about the prisoner’s death, the First Minister commented: “Let me say that we take the health and wellbeing of everyone in our prisons whether that's prisoners, prison officers or our healthcare workers extremely seriously.”
"The death of a prisoner in prison is always one that is a matter of great regret.”
The case was automatically referred to the Procurator Fiscal and a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
Several members of staff who dealt Angus have are self-isolating, according to reports.
READ MORE: Scottish coronavirus deaths increase by 48
Emergency legislation to tackle coronavirus, passed by MSPs last week, allowed for the release of some prisoners, excluding those who had committed sexual or terror offences.
Under the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, regulations would need to be further approved by MSPs to allow for the release of prisoners.
Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government pays "very close attention" to the size of the prison population, along with regular conversations with the Justice Secretary on the matter.
She added: "We will continue to make the judgments that we think are in the best interests of prisoners and those who care for prisoners.
"We would always see prisoner release as a last resort and I think people would expect us to do that.
"But we have made sure that the powers are there if we think that is something that is required to keep our prisons safe places for prisoners and those who work in them."
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