Ex-prisoner’s payout bid over cramped cell

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human rights breaches when he left prison.

Mr Guild was an inmate at Perth Prison from March 17 to August 1, 2014, when he served a sentence for theft and breach of bail conditions.

“It was really cramped in ‘B’ Hall,” he told The Courier.

“We had to eat our meals in our cells and were basically sitting on top of each other.

“I believe that having two people in the one single cell breaches human rights.

“I also had to contend with being in a cell with a smoker, when prison staff clearly knew I was a non-smoker.”

Mr Guild believes his case could lead to a landmark ruling.

“I believe I am the first former inmate within Perth Prison to apply for the money but I’m still waiting on a payment from the prison service,” he added.

In his report on Perth Prison, which was issued last Friday, Mr Strang said: “Some cells designed as single cell accommodation were regularly occupied by two people and were extremely cramped with insufficient room to move around in.”

A spokesperson for the SPS said: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.

“We have not paid any money in relation to such claims.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Thorntons said: “In line with client confidentiality we are unable to comment any further on Mr Guild’s case at this time.”

In 2011, judges at the Court of Session decided to allow appeals by prisoners in actions against Scottish Ministers for damages for having to ‘slop out.’

Craig Guild is pursuing compensation from the SPS.