Scotland's £1bn HMP Glasgow Project Draws Criticism Over Cost and Design

The new prison, set to replace the overcrowded Barlinnie facility, features landscaped gardens, orchards, and modern amenities, sparking a political debate over priorities and taxpayer expense.

• HMP Glasgow's projected cost has ballooned from £100 million in 2014 to nearly £1 billion, with officials citing inflation, Brexit, the COVID pandemic, and construction industry challenges.
• The facility, scheduled to open in 2028, will replace the 143-year-old Barlinnie prison and accommodate 1,344 inmates, addressing chronic overcrowding issues.
• Design plans include orchards, landscaped gardens, amphitheater-style steps, and outdoor sports facilities, aiming to create a campus-like environment that promotes rehabilitation.
• Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay criticized the project as overly extravagant, arguing that taxpayers should not fund what he described as a 'luxury resort' for prisoners.
• First Minister John Swinney defended the design and cost, emphasizing safety, modern standards, and comparability to similar projects in England and Wales.

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