Inmates at the crumbling HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow are being locked up for up to 23 hours a day in conditions described as “degrading” by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), as the long-awaited £1bn replacement prison remains under construction. The damning report, released today following inspections in June 2025, warns that the SNP Government lacks a “coherent” strategy to tackle persistent overcrowding in Scottish prisons, despite multiple early-release programmes in recent years.
Overcrowding Crisis and Record Prison Population
The CPT found that Scotland’s prison population continues to climb to record levels, with overcrowding particularly severe at HMP Perth and HMP Low Moss. However, the harshest criticism was reserved for the Victorian-era Barlinnie, described as “old and dilapidated.” The segregation unit at Barlinnie routinely locks inmates for 23 hours daily, with exercise yards lacking any rudimentary shelters, leaving prisoners exposed to all weather conditions. Segregated inmates also have less than three square metres of living space in their cells. The report states: “In the CPT’s view, such conditions may amount to inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
Concerns Over Violence and Staff Training
The report also raised concerns about prison violence, staff training, and an inconsistent approach to dealing with women offenders. John Cairney of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) said: “This report reinforces what we have been telling the Scottish Government for years. We need urgent action and investment to increase staffing levels, reduce overcrowding and provide a prison regime that rehabilitates prisoners and helps end reoffending. I hope we will now see concerted action to address these very important issues.”
£1bn Replacement Prison Delayed
The estimated final bill for the new HMP Glasgow has reached £1bn, nearly 10 times the original estimate of £100m proposed in 2014. The new prison will add 357 spaces when it opens, expected in 2028, while the new HMP Highland will house 107 additional inmates. However, more than 8,400 inmates are currently held across a prison estate designed for 7,805, despite the SNP Government releasing hundreds of prisoners early to ease the crisis. The total capacity will only rise to 8,269 with the new jails.
Political Criticism and Government Response
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, previously criticised the SNP, saying: “These alarming figures show that despite the eye-watering cost of this new facility, it will not even be fit for purpose by the time it has been completed, with Scotland’s prison population already at a record high.” The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) stated that the replacement HMP Barlinnie will be delivered “on time and on budget” in 2028. SPS chief executive Linda Pollock said last month: “HMP Glasgow is not only essential to long-term sustainability of our prison estate, but will also be transformative for those in our care, our staff and the communities that depend upon it.” The Scottish Government was asked for comment.
