19.10.1995

Torture house Barlinnie

BBC Scotland’s documentary series Frontline Scotland continued last week with an investigation into beating and torture of prisoners in one of Britain’s most barbaric prisons, Barlinnie.

The programme highlighted the cases of James McGhee and Tommy Monaghan who had both been involved in prison riots - at Shotts prison in 1993 and Glenochil prison last year respectively. Both had rioted to draw attention to the inhumane conditions in these jails.

When McGhee left Shotts he was uninjured. By the time he reached Barlinnie the prison doctor, Simon Danson, described him “as clearly a picture of having been tortured”. Similarly, Monaghan told of how he was held down while warders jumped on his arms and legs.

The prison service investigated McGhee’s complaints and, in spite of horrific photographs taken by the prison doctor, it concluded that there was no evidence to back them up. An internal investigation at Barlinnie has brought disciplinary proceedings, not against the thugs in uniform who tortured these men, but against Dr Danson, who refused to be gagged. Disgracefully, the Prison Officers Association, the screws’ ‘trade union’ attempted to have the programme banned.

This is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the degradation and brutality which exists in British prisons. Rehabilitation is not on the agenda. John Carroll, visiting lawyer, confirmed that evidence of beatings of inmates was commonplace, and even in establishment terms counter-productive: “Lock up an animal for three years, poke him every day with a stick and release him when the law says it’s time, and you have a very dangerous person.”

The fear of speaking out among prisoners is turning to anger. As overcrowding continues and conditions worsen, more riots are inevitable. Prisoners who participate are likely to receive the same treatment as McGhee and Monaghan unless the working class movement mobilises to demand basic human rights and rehabilitation for all prisoners, not punishment.

Nancy Morrelli