SCOTLAND’S largest prison is in a wretchedly poor state and the case to replace it remains overwhelming and urgent, inspectors have warned.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) has “strongly urged” the SNP Scottish government to do more to tackle the “fundamental problem” of overcrowding at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow following a week-long inspection last November.

The 143-year-old prison was due for replacement with a new £400 million facility next year, now not expected until 2028 as costs spiralled to nearly £1 billion. 

A soaring prison population combined with crumbling out-of-date buildings to heap ever more pressure on the institution, with a pre-inspection survey finding more than half of prisoners had witnessed staff “abusing, bullying, threatening or assaulting” another prisoner.

Their report warned that “the need for a replacement prison through the planned new HMP Glasgow remains overwhelming and urgent.

“The other deeply concerning factor was the unacceptable level of overcrowding.

“Designed for single occupancy, at the time of our inspection, the prison was more than 30 per cent above its design capacity, with almost two thirds of prisoners having to share cells designed for one person.

“Overcrowding makes it harder to access basic entitlements. It also makes it harder for staff to build and retain positive relationships.

“That may, in part, explain the most worrying aspect of our pre-inspection survey, where more than half (55 per cent) of prisoners said they had witnessed staff members abusing, bullying, threatening or assaulting another prisoner, and 42 per cent reported that staff had abused, bullied, threatened, or assaulted them.

“Inspectors never witnessed any unacceptable behaviour and, indeed, observed staff engaging prisoners in cheerful but respectful light-hearted banter, but these results were worse than for other closed prisons and gave serious cause for concern.

“We encourage the prison to reflect further on the survey findings.”

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said it took a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, added that it is “not complacent.”

SNP Justice Secretary Angela Constance recognised the need for a replacement, “which is why a contract was signed in January to build the new HMP Glasgow.”

She added: “It will increase prison capacity, transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, improve staff working conditions and generate up to £450m worth of economic benefits.”