Glasgow Barlinnie staff saved inmate who cut own throat

Glasgow Times

3 days ago

Four members of staff rushed to a cell in early 2024, after reports that an inmate had hurt himself.
Stewart Anderson, Daniel Broadley, George Dickens and Stephen Fyfe arrived in the room, which was "heavily saturated with blood" after the man injured himself.
He also has a kettle of water boiling, which the officers assumed was to either inflict further self-harm or keep them away.
Despite the danger, they bravely entered the space and tried to negotiate with the prisoner, who was bleeding heavily.
Despite their efforts, the man cut himself a second time, causing the four workers to run closer to him and put pressure on the wounds, while also having to restrain him.
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(Image: Mark F Gibson) (Image: Mark F Gibson) Stewart Anderson (Image: Mark F Gibson) Residential first-line manager Stewart Anderson said: "By the time I got there, he had cut himself on the other side too.
"We had to put handcuffs on him because he had slit his throat.
"He didn't have a lot of strength but we still had to restrain him. It's something I have never experienced before, having to use handcuffs while also administering life-saving care."
To mark the heroic act, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance presented the four employees with Meritorious Conduct Awards.
This is the highest honour the prison gives out to staff members who go above and beyond to ensure prisoners' safety.
Barlinnie governor, Michael Stoney, said at the short ceremony: "This is the top award, a very rare award, it doesn't happen often.
"It should be recognised how weighty it is. It's not one I have encountered before as a governor.
"Staff responded without hesitation and regard for their own safety.
"The individual was violent and threatening violence. But they knew they had to save this man's life. It was a real and significant attempt to take his own life."
Daniel Broadley (Image: Mark F Gibson) George Dickens (Image: Mark F Gibson) Stephen Fyfe (Image: Mark F Gibson)
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Angela Constance added: "It's a tremendous privilege to be here today and recognise the service of four outstanding individuals.
"They put aside their own self-interest.
"It does show that the prison service has, on the front line, people who keep others in their care safe.
"We should recognise that prison officers are changing lives and they saved one in this instance.
"Between the four of them, they have more than 60 years of service."
Stewart Anderson, who has worked at the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) for 11 years, recalled: "It's difficult because you have to make a judgment call.
"He had a sharp item and a kettle that was boiling. He did want to end his own life.
"In that moment, you know that you need to do something and you are just hoping you are making the right call."
(Image: Mark F Gibson) (Image: Mark F Gibson)
Stewart Anderson (Image: Mark F Gibson)He continued to say that caring for prisoners is an important part of the job and in the last few years, an increasing number of them needed additional support for their mental health.
He explained: "It's a delicate balance, you have to be rigid in your discipline but at the same time, you have to have compassion.
"If you aren't open with people, you will get absolutely nowhere. The biggest tool we have is speaking to people and building meaningful relationships as quickly as we can.
"My responsibility is the staff, making sure that they know they have support.
"It does take a toll on everyone."
The 34-year-old also said he's grateful for the support from SPS, including their Employee Assistance Program, which helps workers deal with the trauma they experience on the job.