Scotland’s prison boss has warned a funding crisis could scupper a new super-jail already predicted to cost more than £400million.
Barlinnie has been marked for closure by 2026, with plans to replace it with the new state-of-the-art HMP Glasgow on the outskirts of the city. But Teresa Medhurst, the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), has now flagged up serious issues over the viability of the project.
She told senior SPS colleagues “there are concerns about the future funding of HMP Glasgow”, which the Scottish Government has admitted could cost more than £400million – four times the original budget. The rising cost has been blamed on “Covid, inflationary pressures and market forces”.
It can also be revealed there were crisis talks between the Scottish Government’s Permanent Secretary John-Paul Marks, the most senior civil servant in Scotland, and Louise Macdonald, director- general communities, and prison bosses at Barlinnie in April.
The prison chief’s comments were made during a board meeting in March.
Speculation over the project intensified after government ministers’ refusal last month to disclose the revised costs of replacing Barlinnie, instead saying they would issue cost details within three months. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Jamie Greene has issued a fresh call for transparency.
He said: “With our justice system overstretched and victims’ organisations and charities crying out for funding, the SNP have a duty to disclose how much the super-prison will cost and where the funding is coming from.”
Former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “When the head of the service expresses concerns, alarm bells should be ringing. For the sake of those she’s responsible for, both prisoners and staff, the Government must deliver.”
There is understood to be no plan B should the new Glasgow prison project be mothballed or postponed due to a shortage of funds and the Victorian-era Barlinnie jail, which houses more than 1000 inmates, is deemed no longer fit for purpose. Neither the Scottish Government nor the SPS were prepared to give more details about the funding crisis.
The Scottish Government said: “We are committed to replacing HMP Barlinnie with HMP Glasgow, which is being designed to deliver safe and secure accommodation, with maximum opportunity for successful rehabilitation. Costs are dependent on market conditions and inflationary pressures, as well as final design.”
Michael Stoney, governor of HMP Barlinnie, said: “Through a better living environment and strong relationships with staff, we are determined to help those in our care comprehend and understand how they can move forward and set themselves on the road to a better future.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
