Achi news desk-
Our series tells the story of Barlinnie, from its early days as a model prison, through stories of riots, slopes and the ‘Special Unit’, which broke new ground in rehabilitating violent criminals.
Follow here during the series for each article in the series.
Day One
Barlinnie’s story: From prison reform example to notorious superprison
Barlinnie, with a reputation as tough as San Francisco’s famous former Alcatraz prison, has never been far from controversial and notorious. But his history shows a different side. This is his story.
Days of rage: Inside the Barlinnie prison siege in January 1987
In one dramatic five-day period, Barlinnie became the most famous prison in the world – for all the wrong reasons. Graphic scenes of a rooftop protest and terrified prison officers being held hostage around the world were also shown to a stunned audience. On January 5, 1987 a group of violent prisoners in Barlinnie had taken over.
Glasgow’s forgotten prisons and why Barlinnie was built
Glasgow once had eight separate prisons with different parts of the city having their own prison. However, legislation passed by Westminster in the 19th century led to a more centralized system. By the time Barlinnie was completed seven were closed, leaving only Duke Street. This is the history of Glasgow’s old prison system and why Barlinnie was built.
‘You’re always looking for a way out’: Tracking Barlinnie’s prison escape
In Barlinnie’s checkered 142 year history only a relatively small number of prisoners have managed to escape. However, like anyone associated with Barlinnie their stories were as dramatic as any told about the prison.
