Barlinnie prisoners face weekend without running water in cells

A water supply issue affecting a number of prisoners in Scotland's largest jail is likely to continue throughout the weekend.

Some inmates at two halls in Barlinnie in Glasgow had no running water in their cells overnight and no access to bottled water.

But the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said the issue was proving more difficult to fully resolve and staff would continue to support people affected with the available water supply and bottled water.

One woman told BBC Scotland News that the situation, which left some inmates unable to flush the toilet, was "completely unacceptable."

The SPS said there were no prisoner requests for bottled water overnight but supplies were distributed.

It is understood that the prison reported a drop in water pressure to Scottish Water at 16:00 on Thursday.

It was thought the problem had been fixed by the evening but it has emerged some cells did not have running water overnight.

BBC News was first contacted by a concerned relative about the water situation in Barlinnie at about 20:30.

At the time, the SPS said there was a low water pressure problem which was being addressed, but that there was no issue with drinking water.

One woman, who supports an affected prisoner, said that contingency measures should have been put in place immediately.

She said: "Surely distributing bottled water to prisoners should be an immediate priority when the water supply fails?

"These are not luxuries. They are the most basic necessities of life, and prisoners are entirely dependent on the Scottish Prison Service to provide them."

The woman said that she and others had contacted Barlinnie on Thursday to raise concerns.

The SPS could not say how many prisoners had been affected but it is understood those in A and E halls had problems with their supplies.

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: "We can confirm there are no issues affecting the Scottish Water network in the area.

"The matter relates to an internal issue within HMP Barlinnie and we are supporting the Scottish Prison Service as it works to resolve it."

Last year the late 19th Century and early 20th Century sections of the Glasgow prison were recognised by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) as a Category A listed building.

Construction of Barlinnie started in 1880 and the site opened in 1882.

It was the first new prison built in Scotland following the nationalisation of the prison system, with the Prison Act of 1877.

Barlinnie was known for being a notoriously tough prison, where prisoners carried out hard labour, breaking rocks from a local quarry.

It also served as a home for capital punishment, with 10 men executed by hanging at the site between 1946 and 1960.

In recent years the prison has been plagued by issues of overcrowding.

The Scottish government has committed to building a new prison to replace Barlinnie and construction is under way.

It is due to be completed in 2028 at a cost of nearly £1bn.