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Aaron, who is nearing release from HMP Barlinnie, one of Scotland’s most infamous and largest prisons, admits to feeling nervous about returning to life outside. Having been in trouble with the police since childhood and now in his late 20s, he describes a turbulent youth marked by frequent drinking and mischief. “I’d probably say I was the one getting into the most trouble. I was the wee bad influence,” he reflects. With his current release happening two months early under an emergency Scottish government scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding, nearly 1,000 inmates are expected to benefit by April. At the start of the scheme, Scotland’s prison population stood at 8,441, exceeding the capacity designed for 7,805.
At the heart of the crisis is Barlinnie itself, where both staff and inmates acknowledge the severity of overcrowding. The deputy governor, Jim Beaton, expresses that even a modest reduction, such as releasing 100 prisoners early, would offer a short-term reprieve. However, he emphasizes the necessity for a lasting strategy rather than repeatedly relying on temporary fixes. The prison’s Victorian-era infrastructure further complicates daily operations. Its sprawling, aged architecture slows down the movement of inmates for basic activities like meals, showers, and exercise, limiting opportunities for rehabilitation work that could reduce reoffending rates. Despite these challenges, Jim remains committed to managing as best as possible with the resources available.
Plans are underway to replace Barlinnie with a more modern facility, HMP Glasgow, designed to foster closer interactions by organizing staff and inmates into smaller groups of about 20. Though hopeful about this new environment, Jim notes that the replacement prison is not expected to open until 2028. Aaron describes the current atmosphere in overcrowded cells as tense and volatile, with frustrations often boiling over among inmates who feel confined and deprived of their basic needs. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Justice Secretary has defended the early release policy as a difficult but necessary decision, despite criticism from victims’ groups and opposition politicians concerned about public safety. The scheme applies only to inmates serving sentences under four years and nearing release, excluding those convicted of sexual or domestic abuse offenses.
Efforts to support prisoners during and after release are ongoing at Barlinnie, where staff like John Sneddon help prepare inmates for life beyond the prison walls
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