Barlinnie ‘is no longer fit for purpose’
Inspection highlights rats and cells that were condemned 25 years ago
SCOTLAND’S largest prison is ‘no longer fit for purpose’ to deal with the massive number of inmates it houses, a damning report has found.
An inspection of Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow disclosed that holding cells in the reception area which were first condemned 25 years ago remain in use – with concerns that they breach the human rights of prisoners.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland also highlighted the ‘outdated and antiquated building design’, with inspectors noting the ‘severe state of disrepair’ of medical rooms.
Their report said that while ‘strenuous efforts were being made to maintain hygiene and cleanliness’ throughout the prison, inspectors were concerned to see rats in the grounds.
At the time of their visit, Barlinnie housed 1,489 prisoners – 45.8 per cent more than the maximum number it was designed for.
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) bosses have bought a 54-acre site in north-east Glasgow, where it is hoped a new prison will be built – but SPS chief executive Colin McConnell has previously told MSPs he does not expect this to be ready until 2024 at the earliest.
In her report, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland Wendy Sinclair-Gieben said: ‘Given the length of time before a new HMP Glasgow will open, interim solutions must be sought.’
Inspectors have now made eight key recommendations for the SPS and the Scottish Government.
With inspectors having visited the prison before the coronavirus pandemic, the report said some of the actions taken by the SPS in response could have exacerbated some of the issues they raised. The report stated: ‘The Inspectorate had deep concerns about the adverse environmental conditions in the healthcare facility, compounded by the impact of the high population numbers on the delivery of care. The severe state of disrepair of the rooms used to deliver healthcare that were seen throughout the inspection, and the consequent risk posed to both patients and staff, requires urgent attention.’
Damage in medical rooms prevented them from being cleaned ‘in line with infection prevention and control guidelines’.
The report also told how the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment had severely criticised holding cells in the prison’s reception as breaching the human rights of prisoners.
Inspectors were ‘concerned that more than two thirds of prisoners were sharing cells designed for single occupancy, with many being offered very little time out of their cell’. The also noted that only five of the jail’s cells were accessible for disabled prisoners.
An SPS spokesman said yesterday: ‘The report recognises efforts of staff at HMP Barlinnie to limit the impact of outdated facilities on prisoners.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said £3million of extra funding will be spent at the prison, adding: ‘A total of £68million has been committed to improve the infrastructure of the Scottish prison estate this year and we remain committed to the development of a new, fit for purpose replacement for HMP Barlinnie.’