Barlinnie prisoners left with no running water or flushing toilets overnight

A number of prisoners in Scotland’s largest jail had no running water in their cells overnight and no access to bottled water.

One woman told BBC Scotland News that the situation in HMP Barlinnie, which left some inmates unable to flush the toilet, was “completely unacceptable.”

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said a water supply issue had now been fixed but, due to the age of the Glasgow jail, it would take time to return to normal.

A spokesperson said there were no prisoner requests for bottled water overnight but supplies were distributed this morning.

It is understood that the SPS 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.”