1. Introduction

1.1 An inspection of HMP Barlinnie was carried out during the period 11-21 May 1997, the previous formal inspection having taken place in November 1993. During the intervening period there had been regular visits to the establishment, many of them unannounced.

1.2 The 1997 inspection team numbered ten and included independent Healthcare and Educational Advisers, a lay Prison Visitor and a representative from the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The Chief Executive of Sacro also attended as an observer.

1.3 Previous reports have referred to the difficulties involved in managing what is described as an unwieldy establishment, due to it its unusually large and transient population; overcrowding has been a constant feature over many years and had reached record levels at the time of inspection.

1.4 It was pleasing to note, however, that after many years of neglect, an extensive refurbishment programme was now well underway, with one Hall already nearing completion; a new Visits and Staff Facility complex was also under construction. We noted with approval that the prison appeared to be cleaner than before and that accommodation standards in two of the Halls had improved, though we considered the conditions in ‘B’ and ‘C’ still to be deplorable. Health care arrangements were found to be much more satisfactory and there had been a welcome doubling of attendance at education classes. Random Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) had also just been introduced.

1.5 The main concerns which emerged were those related to the most basic components of the regime; for example, induction arrangements were found to be virtually non existent and most meals were being served cold. Laundry arrangements were unsatisfactory and at best, many prisoners were being given sporadic opportunities to exercise in the fresh air. There was also not enough work to go round - mainly due to a lack of places which was caused by overcrowding and insufficient staff to supervise them. Many untried or unconvicted prisoners were also leading a dull and degrading existence, whilst a number of the growing population of long term prisoners (LTP) appeared to be stagnating.