Photo: Chris Upson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Key information
Address: 81 Lee Avenue, Riddrie, Glasgow, G33 2QX
Phone: 0141 770 2000
Type: Local prison — adult male
Capacity: around 987 prisoners (though it regularly holds well over this)
Opened: 1882
In the north-east of Glasgow, HMP Barlinnie is Scotland’s best-known prison and one of its busiest local prisons, holding adult male prisoners on remand and serving short-term sentences from the Glasgow area. It was built in the 1880s, and has long been one of the most overcrowded prisons in Scotland. Barlinnie is gradually being replaced by a new prison, HMP Glasgow, currently under construction and due to open around 2028; until then, Barlinnie stays open and in use.
For visiting times, addresses, directions and current contact details, see the official SPS page for this prison (opens in a new tab).