THE European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has urged Scotland to ensure HMP Glasgow becomes operational ‘as soon as possible’.
The call comes after a report by the CPT noted ‘worrying’ levels of prison overcrowding in the country. It follows ad hoc visits to a number of prisons, police stations, and secure accommodation centres for children across Scotland in June 2025.
The CPT explained it has long-considered that there should be 6m² of living space for a single-occupancy cell and 4m² of living space per prisoner in a multiple-occupancy cell.
Noting this is a minimum standard, it urges all Council of Europe member states to apply a higher standard in the construction of new prisons – adding that it would be desirable for a cell of 8 to 9m² to hold no more than one prisoner, and a cell of 12m² no more than two prisoners.
The CPT’s visit to Barlinne found single cells – measuring between 6 and 8.5m² – were being used to accommodate two prisoners. In most halls, the majority of prisoners had less than 4m² of living space each. In addition, the cells in the halls were in a ‘bad state of repair’, and some had mould on the ceilings and walls.
Furthermore, at Low Moss Prison, some single-occupancy cells measuring 7m² were transformed into double-occupancy cells. At Perth Prison, cells measuring approximately 6m² were accommodating two prisoners.
“Such occupancy rates are not acceptable and should be reviewed,” it reads. “In all cases, the minimum standard of 6m2 of living space per prisoner in single-occupancy cells and 4m2 in multiple occupancy cells (in both cases excluding the sanitary annexe) must be duly respected.”
“The CPT is particularly concerned by the situation of those prisoners at Barlinnie Prison who had less than 3m² of living space in poor conditions and spent 23 hours per day locked in their cells,” it continues. “In the CPT’s view, such conditions may amount to inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The CPT invites the Scottish authorities to ensure that Glasgow Prison becomes fully operational as soon as possible, in order to allow for the minimum living space per prisoner described above. The CPT also recommends that until Glasgow Prison starts functioning, Scottish authorities ensure that that the minimum standard of 6m² of living space per prisoner in single-occupancy cells and 4m² in multi-occupancy cells (not counting the area taken up by any in-cell toilet facility) is duly respected.”
Praise was given for Scotland’s ‘significant reform’ of women’s prisons, including the new Stirling Prison and introduction of two community custody units providing community-style living and a more humane alternative to traditional prisons.
