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At Scotland’s largest prison, HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, visitors have recently faced difficulties as the facility experiences ongoing water supply problems. Since Thursday night, inmates in two of the prison’s halls have struggled without access to bottled water, and the issue has extended to essential services such as toilet facilities and laundry. One woman supporting a prisoner reported that laundry had not been done since before the problem began, leaving prisoners without clean clothing, and showers have been unavailable due to the water shortage.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has acknowledged that the water supply issue is proving challenging to resolve promptly. Although staff are working alongside Scottish Water to fix the problem, difficulties persisted into the weekend. Those affected include prisoners in A and E halls, but the exact number of individuals impacted has not been disclosed. Supporters of prisoners raised concerns about inadequate communication and the hardship caused by the inability to use toilets during visits, which are still allowed to continue despite the situation.
One visitor described the supply situation as “ridiculous” and highlighted how prisoners sometimes only receive 45 minutes a week to see family—time made more difficult by the current conditions, including the inability to shower beforehand. The same woman expressed frustration over the initial distribution of flavored water instead of bottled drinking water and criticized the slow emergency response. She emphasized that basic necessities such as water and sanitation are not luxuries but fundamental needs that should have been addressed immediately.
The problem reportedly began with a drop in water pressure detected by the prison on Thursday afternoon, though the SPS initially maintained that drinking water was unaffected. Scottish Water clarified that there were no issues in their network and that the fault lies within the prison itself. Meanwhile, Barlinnie, a historic institution dating back to its construction in 1880, continues to grapple with challenges such as overcrowding. Plans are underway to replace the prison with a new facility, with construction already started and completion expected in 2028 at an estimated cost of nearly £1 billion
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