Covid-19 procedures spark violence in private prison

BY MARK McGIVERN Chief Reporter creates a perfect storm for the spread of any virus.

Many believe suspected cases have remained in contact with others for too long, including some who have continued to share cells.

Police, fire and ambulance crews are understood to have attended the prison near Livingston yesterday.

Prisoner transfers were put on hold as officers tried to defuse the situation.

In a video sent to the Daily

Record, one prisoner laughs as he discusses the vandalism done to the hall with another inmate.

The con, out of shot, says: “Mate, you have lost the plot. Have you trashed the whole place?”

He also asks the bare-chested prisoner in the video: “Where’s your cosh”, which results in a length of wood being produced.

One prisoner produces the apparent identity card of an officer employed by private services firm Sodexo.

A source told the Record: “A hard core of prisoners at HMP Addiewell went on the rampage and smashed things up, leading to a lockdown.

“They situation there has been growing more tense every day, as there is no effective way to apply social distancing inside a jail. If one prisoner gets ill and they are not moved the whole population is at risk.

“Prisoners are angry that others with symptoms are not been taken off the premises until they are confirmed as suffering from the virus.”

Prisoners at Barlinnie in

Glasgow are also understood to be at the point of violence over similar concerns relating to coronavirus. Inmates there are being made to “self-isolate” despite sharing cells.

The Scottish Prison Service by Thursday had identified 28 prisoners – including two in overcrowded Barlinnie’s laundry room – showing signs of coronavirus.

HMP Addiewell said: “We can confirm there is an incident ongoing at HMP Addiewell. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”