Ongoing water supply issues highlight inadequacies at Scotland's largest prison HMP Barlinnie, say inspectors

Water supply issues at HMP Barlinnie have highlighted ongoing inadequacies at the “ageing” institution, prison inspectors have said, amid ongoing overcrowding issues in Scotland’s jails.

Prisoners at Scotland’s largest jail were left without running water for four nights after a leak within the estate was identified at around 4pm on October 8.

The prison has told STV News that, while the water supply has been restored, it has had to be temporarily isolated at “various points” to facilitate repairs, resulting in ongoing disruption.

STV News understands that, in the prison, water supply reaches halls B, C and D first, and that pressure can then be affected in halls A and E.

Contingency arrangements have been put in place to ensure individuals can access shower facilities in unaffected areas of the establishment.

It comes after the family of one prisoner said their loved one had not had a hot shower in 11 days.

Following the outage, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland conducted an inspection at Barlinnie on Wednesday.

‘Long-standing concerns’

The inspection confirmed that the Scottish Prison Service implemented contingency measures for staff and prisoners, including providing bottled water, while alternative arrangements for food and laundry were put in place.

However, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Sara Snell, said that the incident reinforced “long-standing concerns” about the prison’s infrastructure and a “continued heavy reliance on a deteriorating estate”.

The inspection also found the prison was overcrowded by more than a third (39%).

Built with the capacity to hold 1,021 prisoners, on the day of inspection there were 1,415 inmates in HMP Barlinnie – with over a quarter being held on remand.

The report has called on the Scottish Government to “ensure” that nothing prevents the prison’s closure and that the number of prisoners is reduced.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Sara Snell, said: “This incident reinforces our longstanding concerns about the inadequacy of the ageing infrastructure at HMP Barlinnie, and the risks associated with continued heavy reliance on a deteriorating estate.

“On the day of our inspection 1,415 men were being held in a prison intended to hold 1,021, over a quarter of whom were being held on remand.

“At 39% overcrowded, Barlinnie is the most overpopulated prison in Scotland. As well as our concern for the conditions and treatment prisoners experience when in prison, this incident also highlights the wider vulnerability of the prison estate in the context of ongoing overcrowding.

“The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service must ensure that nothing prevents the closure of HMP Barlinnie and the transfer of prisoners to HMP Glasgow.

“With HMP Glasgow not expected to become operational for more than two years, effective contingency arrangements must remain in place, alongside reducing the number of men held there.”

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We note HMIPS’ findings and welcome the acknowledgement that contingency measures were put in place to meet the needs of those living and working in HMP Barlinnie during this incident.

“Throughout the last week, our focus has been on maintaining essential services and ensuring access to drinking water, sanitation, showers, food provision and healthcare.

“We are grateful to staff, partners and contractors who have worked tirelessly to minimise the impact of this significant disruption and restore services as quickly as possible.

“Necessary work remains ongoing and is continuing to cause some disruption in a small number of areas.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.