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Once considered Scotland’s most dangerous man, Jimmy Boyle was known for his violent behaviour and involvement in prison riots and attacks on guards. However, his life took a turn for the better when he was placed in Barlinnie Prison’s experimental special unit. A new BBC Scotland documentary tells the story of the 142-year-old jail, which is set to close. Boyle, now a respected sculptor and novelist, recounts his experiences in the special unit, where he was given more relaxed living conditions and participated in expressive activities such as sculpture.
During his earlier years of incarceration, Boyle waged a one-man “war of attrition” on the prison system, resulting in him being moved to solitary confinement. After being transferred to the infamous “cages” at the former Porterfield Prison, where he was stripped naked and given a blanket as his only possession, he spent four-and-a-half years there. Boyle’s impact on the prison system ultimately led to his transfer to Barlinnie’s special unit, where he flourished under the guidance of pioneering art therapist Joyce Laing.
Boyle’s sculptures, which featured chained fists and the scales of justice, gained the attention of gallery owner Richard Demarco. He offered Boyle an exhibition space at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1974, which caused public outrage, but demonstrated that Boyle’s artistic abilities were greater than his violent past. By the time of his release in 1980, Boyle had become a bestselling author and established youth programs to stop ex-prisoners from reoffending.
Modern-day Barlinnie is significantly different from the version in Boyle’s time, with prisoners having access to education classes and a family centre. While violence is still prevalent, it has significantly reduced. The prison’s biggest current challenge is in stemming the flow of illicit substances being brought in by drones. The prison is said to be due for closure, but no date has yet been set. Governor Mick Stoney wants to replace the infamous prison’s notoriety with a positive image for Glasgow by making a real difference in people’s lives
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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