Justice secretary defends £1bn cost for HMP Glasgow

The cost of a replacement for the ageing Barlinnie prison has soared to almost £1bn.

HMP Glasgow will be bigger than the Victorian jail, where overcrowding problems have added to pressures.

In a letter to Holyrood's Justice Committee, cabinet secretary Angela Constance has confirmed that costs have now risen to £998.4m.

The revised price is far higher than the initial £100m estimate or the revised £400m sum and includes land, construction and VAT costs. 

Work is expected to finish in 2028, with a deal signed with contractors Kier Construction.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr called the news "jaw-dropping" and accused the Scottish Government of "squandering taxpayers' money on a scandalous scale".

He said: "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.

"Angela Constance must give an urgent explanation to parliament as to why Glasgow’s new prison will now cost taxpayers ten times more than first thought."

The Scottish Government has said the HMP Glasgow project will deliver economic benefits worth £450m.

To be built in the city's east end, it will have a capacity of 1,344 and replaces a facility which is 143 years old.

Conditions at Barlinnie have long been criticised and Constance said the new site is "a bold vision for the future of Scottish prisons that will help reduce reoffending, contribute to less crime, while delivering a considerable economic boost for the city and beyond".

She said inflation linked to Brexit and Covid had driven up costs, adding: "The new modern establishment will replace a Victorian-age prison that is no longer fit for purpose. It will increase prison capacity and transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, as well as considerably improving staff working conditions. 

"Delivering the best value has been a key consideration of this project, which will provide more £450m worth of economic benefits, including jobs and contracts for businesses in Scotland. I very much welcome that at least 50 per cent of project spend will benefit the local supply chain."

Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst commented: "HMP Glasgow will have a transformative impact in how we support and rehabilitate people. 

"It is an investment in our staff, in those in our care, and in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole, as we work with our partners to improve people’s futures and together build safer communities."