Scotland may keep Barlinnie open as overcrowding strains prison capacity
Scotland's most notorious prison, HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, may remain open despite being earmarked for closure, as the country grapples with a prison overcrowding crisis. Although a £1 billion replacement facility, HMP Glasgow, is being constructed, officials have signalled that the Victorian-era prison could be kept running as a "last resort" to ease capacity pressures.
Scotland currently holds 8,241 inmates—higher than before the latest emergency release programme began—and officials used careful language when questioned, emphasising there are "no current plans" to keep Barlinnie open, a phrasing that suggests flexibility if overcrowding worsens. The facility employs 529 staff, and officials worry about having sufficient personnel to run both prisons simultaneously, whilst the prison's recent Category A listed status for its Victorian buildings has prompted discussions about potential alternative uses such as a museum or heritage attraction.
- Victorian prison may stay open despite £1bn replacement being built
- Prison population continues rising despite early prisoner releases
- Historic listed status raises questions about the jail's future use
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HMP Barlinnie is a major prison in Glasgow built during the Victorian era. It has been earmarked for closure once a new £1 billion replacement facility, HMP Glasgow, is completed.
Scotland is currently facing an overcrowding crisis in its prisons, with the prisoner population standing at 8,241. To address this capacity shortage, officials have signalled that Barlinnie could remain in operation, contrary to the original closure plan.
Keeping the ageing prison open raises practical concerns about staffing levels and the cost of running two facilities at once. The building's recent historic listing has prompted discussions about potential alternative uses such as a museum or heritage attraction.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping Barlinnie available could provide a safety valve if overcrowding worsens, reducing pressure on prisoners and staff while the replacement prison comes into service. Preserving a functioning facility may also offer officials flexibility during a difficult transition, rather than relying on emergency measures alone.
The case against
Keeping the ageing prison open could divert scarce staff and public money from the new facility, while prolonging reliance on buildings designed for very different conditions. A clear closure could let Scotland focus resources on safer, more suitable accommodation and consider heritage uses for Barlinnie’s listed buildings.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Could Barlinnie Prison stay open amid prison overcrowding crisis?”.