HM Prison Barlinnie

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Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow

HM Prison Barlinnie is a prison located in the residential suburb of Riddrie, in the north-east of Glasgow, Scotland. It was mainly used for short term prisoners or those awaiting trial in Glasgow courts, but also long term prisoners awaiting transfer to prisons such as Saughton or Peterhead it also housed the Libyan diplomat who is held responsible for the Lockerbie plane disaster but who has now been transferred to Gateside Prison, Greenock. Barlinnie prison consists of 5 halls - A, B, C, D, and E. The infamous Scottish murderer Peter Manuel was hanged here in 1958. The prison is colloquially known as "Bar-L" in some parts of Scotland. The bucket-as-toilet routine known as slopping out was still in practice there as late as 2003. Since 2001 refurbishment has taken place after critical reports by the Scottish Chief Inspector of Prisons [1].

Headline-hitting footballer Duncan Ferguson was locked up in Barlinnie Prison for 44 days in 1995.

[edit] Conditions

Barlinnie prison houses a ceiling of 850 prisoners, but currently locks up 1300 - 1400. Leaving many inmates to share cell accomondation. Each cell now has in cell sanitation, kettles and a T.V. which costs £1 to each prisoner per week.

A cell wage of £4.80 plus a stamp is paid to every prisoner.

Working prisoners can earn up to £12 per week.

PPC (Prisoners personal cash) is £15 per week.

Each prisoner get 3 visits per month. 1 x afternoon, 1 x evening and 1 x weekend.

All social aspects are covered by the prison at great expense, Social work, drug addictions, housing issues, money benefits, church matters, employment centres are just a of the core screening arrangements on offer to all prisoners.

General conditions in the prison are good, better food and living conditions than most get on the outside, being from poor backgrounds.