THE number of prisoners in Scotland who have been placed on suicide watch has increased by 28 per cent since 2007, new figures revealed today.

A freedom of information request by Scottish Labour found that 2,956 inmates are being supported by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) initiative Talk To Me.

The strategy, launched in 2016, works “closely with NHS partners to develop individualised plans and provide contact with Samaritans, where trained listeners provide additional support.”