In 2006, 14 of Scotland's most infamous female killers were photographed smiling and enjoying a barbecue and pampering session at Cornton Vale Prison, the country's only women's jail. The event, described as a "barbecue and family day," took place in a garden designed by the BBC Beechgrove Garden team. The day before, the inmates had their hair and nails done in a pamper session, and on the day of the BBQ, they were joined by two family members each.
The Photograph
The image shows 14 women convicted of murdering 13 people and two unborn babies. Among them is Michelle Kelly, 26, who stabbed 17-year-old Edward Bell in front of his mother in 2001. Edith McAlinden, 44, known as the "house of blood" killer, is also pictured; she, her son, and his friend murdered three men in Glasgow. Pamela Gourlay, 27, slit her neighbor's throat with a boning knife in 1999. Margaret Seymour, 34, stabbed a disabled friend twice without explanation. Isabell Carvill, 42, and her daughter Gemma Valenti killed a man at a party. Valenti missed the photo due to illness.
Reactions
A prison source expressed outrage, stating, "I dread to think what the victims' families will think about the barbecue and all the pampering the killers had. This picture looks more like a holiday snap than a group of killers." The source added, "Cornton Vale is known among inmates as 'Butlins with bars' and this photo gives you an indication why."
Details of the Event
The event was part of Cornton Vale's first family day for women serving life sentences. Four lifers gave presentations on topics like employment, education, and case management. The source questioned, "Maybe it would have been better to get relatives of those murdered along to listen to the presentations and see how the pampering went."
Profiles of the Killers
- Hilda Robertson: Set neighbor's home on fire, killing her and her unborn child. Sentenced to minimum 14 years in 2002.
- Caroline McNab: Stabbed a 74-year-old widow; died on Christmas Day. Sentenced to minimum 12 years in 1999.
- Pamela Reid: Murdered a man at age 15; sentenced to minimum 8 years in 2002.
- Tracey McInally: Stabbed a client 13 times; sentenced to minimum 10 years in 2003.
- Pamela Gourlay: Slit neighbor's throat; sentenced to minimum 14 years in 1999.
- Margaret Seymour: Stabbed a disabled woman twice; sentenced to life in 2000.
- Cassandra Francis: Stabbed a man to death; sentenced to minimum 9 years in 2002.
- Mary Ryan: Lured a man to a hotel where he was shot and stabbed; sentenced to 15 years in 1999.
- Edith McAlinden: Butchered three men with her son and his friend; sentenced to minimum 13 years in 2005.
- Michelle Kelly: Stabbed a teenager in front of his mother; sentenced to minimum 10 years in 2003.
- Gurmit Bassi: Hired a hitman to kill her ex-husband's pregnant wife; sentenced to minimum 14 years in 1998.
- Lee Hughes: Stabbed a man who allegedly tried to assault her; sentenced to minimum 8 years in 1998.
- Isabell Carvill: Killed a man with her daughter; sentenced to minimum 12 years in 2003.
- Shevonne Clarke: Stabbed a man to death; sentenced to minimum 10.5 years in 2002.
