Cost of Glasgow Prison Replacement Soars to Nearly £1 Billion

The cost to replace Barlinnie prison in Glasgow has surged to nearly £1 billion, nearly ten times the initial estimate of £100 million proposed in 2014. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced the revised cost of £998.4 million, attributing the increase to inflationary pressures from Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising construction costs. The new HMP Glasgow, set to open in 2028, will have a capacity of 1,344 inmates, adding 357 spaces to alleviate overcrowding issues that have plagued the current facility. Constance emphasized that the project is expected to generate £450 million in economic benefits, including job creation and local supply chain investments. However, opposition parties criticized the soaring costs, calling it a significant mismanagement of public funds. The Scottish Government has assured that despite the challenges, the project's costs are comparable to similar prison developments across the UK.