3 days ago
Low Moss prisoners 'cycled across Britain' - here's why
More than 60 Low Moss inmates jumped on exercise bikes to promote the importance of well-being for Men's Mental Health Awareness Week - and the Glasgow Times had exclusive access.
Participants took turns on 15 bikes, pedalling for one hour and stopping every four minutes to do 11 pushups.
(Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes)
(Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes)
READ NEXT: 'Housed like battery hens': Jail staff's rare insight into dangers of overcrowding
When added up, they will have cycled 874 miles, which would have taken them the length of Great Britain, from the northernmost point all the way to the southern tip.
Together, they will have also completed 10,000 pushups.
One volunteer said: "Being behind a locked door is difficult, you have a lot of time to think.
"Your mental health can deteriorate rapidly here. It's good to get to the gym, it's a good environment.
"I can always tell when we don't get to the gym, you can see it in the guys."
As a gym pass man, he participated in all three sessions of the day.
He added: "Mental health is very important.
"I would not be the same guy without the gym, my dad got me into it.
"I was a shell of a man before I came here, I cannot speak highly enough of this place and what they did for me." (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes)
Calum Kincaid (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes)
Scott Isaksen, physical training instructor, has been working for the Scottish Prison Service for 15 years.
He led the exercise sessions, completed with music and instructions.
He explained: "It was to create a common goal. We had 15 people at a time, doing 17 miles each, for four hours.
"And to make it a little harder, I added the pushups.
"We found over the years that when we did a sport day, it would work really well and they enjoyed it.
"We build a good relationship with them. Fitness and mental health are very important."
(Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) Helen (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes)
READ NEXT: 'They treat us like human beings': Prisoners praise recovery cafe
The Bishopbriggs jail has a gym, which inmates are encouraged to use. Some of them even take classes, such as spinning.
Calum Kincaid, deputy governor, said sport supports the men's rehabilitation and helps them establish a routine.
He continued: "We know this supports mental and physical health.
"It's heavily important to the running of this prison and the health of those who live here.
"It's really good that the NHS is supporting it too."
The health board provided leaflets and snacks to the prisoners, along with sign-up sheets to get a general check-up by a doctor.
Helen, who set up the information corner, said: "Men need to look after themselves.
"They need to know how to manage conditions they have and keep themselves healthy.
"They may be in prison but they can still care about their health and well-being.
"It's good for them to know that."
