The Cabinet Secretary for Justice has visited the HMP Glasgow site as the new prison hits an important milestone in its development.
By replacing the Victorian-era HMP Barlinnie, the new, modern establishment will have a transformative effect on how people are supported and rehabilitated.
The project, which was given the go-ahead last year, will provide safe and secure accommodation for 1,344 people, with high standards of decency and care and access to services.
The bespoke facilities will ensure greater time and focus can be dedicated to rehabilitation and recovery, supporting individuals’ personal journey, and reducing their risk of reoffending after release.
HMP Glasgow has now reached a key milestone with risers erected for the five planned houseblocks and Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, joined SPS and Kier representatives to see the buildings take shape.
The risers are important parts of the construction as they will be used to supply utilities into each room.
The £998 million project remains on time and on schedule to complete in 2028, and is also delivering £450 million worth of benefits to the Scottish economy, including jobs and contracts for local businesses in the Glasgow and surrounding area.
Kier, which is delivering the new prison, has also established a new Community Support Fund, with two types of grants– the Community Wishes Fund, with flexible support of up to £2,000 available, and the Community Impact Fund, with grants of up to £15,000.
The groundbreaking design is based around small communities, making it easier to manage different populations.
It is also trauma-informed and uses space to support good mental health and wellbeing. The use of technology will free up staff time to allow for more positive engagement time with those living in HMP Glasgow.
At a time when the Scottish prison population has reached a record high, it is also designed to accommodate 357 more people than HMP Barlinnie, which is no longer fit for purpose.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am very pleased to help mark a key milestone in the construction of HMP Glasgow and to see first-hand how the new prison, which will add 357 more places to the prison estate, is taking shape.
“This is an investment in our prison system and a safer Scotland. With increased capacity, HMP Glasgow will focus on how prisoners are rehabilitated so they are less likely to reoffend when they are released back into the community.
“The new prison will also considerably improve working conditions for hard working prison staff and will deliver £450 million worth of economic benefits, including jobs and contracts for businesses in Scotland, with 50% of project spend benefitting the local supply chain.”
Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the SPS, said: “HMP Glasgow is not only essential to long-term sustainability of our prison estate, but will also be transformative for those in our care, our staff, and the communities that depend upon it.
“I am delighted to see the project reach this important milestone and look forward to the continued progress of the new build.”
Matt Collins, operations director at Kier Construction, said: "We are enormously proud of the progress being made at HMP Glasgow. Today’s celebration highlights the innovative technologies being used to ensure that this complex and critical development is delivered safely on time, to cost and to the highest quality.
“This is about delivering a modern, rehabilitative facility while ensuring a real, lasting impact.
“To date, £347.6m has been invested with Scottish supply chain businesses. Kier has already surpassed our ambition to create 100 new jobs during construction, with 115 generated to date. Of those, 25 have created opportunities for people with lived experience of the justice system through our Making Ground programme.”