Barlinnie Prison given Category A status

Some of Scotland’s most notorious criminals have passed though its doors for over 100 years – and now Barlinnie Prison is to be recognised as one of Scotland’s most significant buildings.

The late 19th Century and early 20th Century phases of the Glasgow prison have been recognised by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) as a Category A listed building.

The public body said Barlinnie holds an important place “in the national consciousness” as the most complete example of its building type still standing.

The listing means that what makes the building special – such as the historic character – will be considered in any decisions about its future.

HES said the prison, famously known as Bar-L and the largest in Scotland, is “exceptionally important in the history of Scottish prison design and criminal justice.”

The decision follows a public consultation on the listing, where about 200 people responded.

The majority of people – around 76% – agreed with the HES assessment regarding the “special architectural and historic interest” of the buildings.

Dara Parsons, head of designations at HES, said: “Barlinnie is an outstanding example of a purpose-built prison complex in Scotland and holds great significance as the most complete surviving example of its building type.

“As Scotland’s largest and best-known prison, it also holds an important place in the national consciousness.”

The listing covers the surviving parts of the earliest layout of the site, developed between 1880 and 1908.

This includes five accommodation halls, the chapel, the former infirmary and store building, the gatehouse, work sheds and the surviving parts of the early boundary wall.

HES also stated that as the prison had been in continual use since the 1880s, the buildings are of “outstanding social historical interest for what they can tell us about changes in penal discipline and reform in Scotland”, from the late 19th Century onwards.

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 on the outskirts of Glasgow. It is due to be competed in 2028 at a cost of nearly £1bn.