New Barlinnie prison costs double to almost £1bn

Liam Kerr, the Scottish Conservatives justice spokesman, said the new prison was “squandering taxpayers’ money on a scandalous scale”.

He added: “It is scarcely believable that the costs to replace Barlinnie are now set to hit nearly a billion pounds and that the new prison won’t be open for another three years.

“That is a total dereliction of duty at a time when the SNP are about to release hundreds of dangerous prisoners due to their failure to invest in Scotland’s prison estate over 18 years in power.”

In 2023 Barlinnie governor Michael Stoney warned the prison had become so overcrowded that a “catastrophic failure” was possible.

He previously estimated a new prison could cut reoffending by around 20%.

He told BBC Scotland News: “The new prison is designed to be full of activity, full of engagement. All staff will be freed up to deliver directly and build positive relationships that will impact people’s rehabilitation.”

According to the letter sent to the criminal justice committee, HMP Glasgow will provide a “full regime” for prisoners to help rehabilitate them.

It added a range of “activities and opportunities” will maximise prisoners’ time, while there will be the ability to accommodate more wheelchair users in a bid to keep up with an ageing prison population.

Developer Kier Construction said construction of the prison would provide local benefits including apprenticeships, training, and work placements for ex-offenders, with the Scottish government estimating the project could create up to £450m of spending in the local economy.

The SPS carried out two cost consultancies, which it says found the £998m cost was “typical for the industry.”