Scotland’s prison population has reached an all-time high, according to the latest figures. A total of 7609 prisoners were in custody last Friday, around 1000 above capacity and nearly 20% more than 10 years ago.

A service that aims to tackle ill-health in Scotland’s workplaces was launched in Dundee yesterday.

FOUR Chinese women trafficked into Scotland by gangs to work in the sex industry have been found during a series of raids by police.

A major charity for carers and users of community care services in the Highlands has warned that it will close if local authority funding is withdrawn.

An Aberdeen charity for the homeless fears it will have to close four of its centres if it loses council funding.

The survivors of childhood abuse in care were yesterday promised “truth and reconciliation”. Most welcomed the truth. Some rejected the reconciliation.

The Scottish Government announced a special forum where victims can tell their stories and, perhaps, come to terms with their experiences.

As first revealed by The Herald last year, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be set up, a body that will expose abuse but not punish abusers.

It was unveiled in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, by children’s minister Adam Ingram.

“We are considering good practice examples for taking forward a forum to give survivors the chance to speak about their experiences to help come to terms with the past,” Mr Ingram told MSPs. “This will provide an invaluable opportunity to establish the facts, learn from the suffering and use the experience to help us protect and provide for children in the future.”

Support groups have long campaigned for a place where their stories can be told. But they remained split on Mr Ingram’s proposal.

Children of jailed parents are the “invisible” victims of crime, Scotland’s children’s tsar said today. A new report before the Scottish Parliament highlights the trauma faced by around 13,500 children who have a parent in prison.

THE Scottish Government has announced funding of £667,775 as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the people of Malawi.

The opening of a new cancer care unit in Perth has moved a step closer thanks to a £1m donation. The Macmillan Cancer Support Appeal has been given the money by the Gannochy Trust.

Failings in Clackmannanshire Council’s children’s services have been criticised by education inspectors. The HMIe review comes after a 12-month inspection was carried out to determine the level of care offered to vulnerable youngsters in the area.

Council leader Janet Cadenhead admitted a “less than adequate” service had been provided in the past. She blamed the department’s failings on low staffing levels and insisted the service was now improving. The report assessed services between March 2006-2007.

During the period of inspection, staffing levels within the department reportedly fell to as low as 30% – at one point 12 out of 18 social worker posts were vacant.

The limited staff numbers resulted in a reduced service for those in the greatest need. The council said its child care service was now fully staffed and that staff morale was improving.

It also insisted best practice was being developed and that there had been significant investment in staff training.