Latest news with #ScottishPrisonService
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scots inmates watching US telly hit Prison Break and other X-rated movies behind bars
Read on to discover some of the other titles available to cons NICK FLICK FIASCO Scots inmates watching US telly hit Prison Break and other X-rated movies behind bars Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Scottish Prison Service has come under fire for allowing inmates to watch X-rated content behind bars. Lags are permitted to rent from a catalogue of thousands of 18-rated DVDs, which include films about serial killers and sex beasts. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Inmates at Glasgow's HMP Barlinnie have been watching X-rated DVDs Credit: Alamy 4 American telly hit Prison Break depicts a complex jailbreak plan Credit: Fox Broadcasting 4 Raunchy flick Fifty Shades of Grey is available to rent Credit: Alamy And cons can even borrow 2005 crime drama Prison Break - which tells, in detail, the fictional story of a US jailbreak. Other titles available include serial killer classic Silence of the Lambs and psychological thriller Dexter - a series about a killer police forensic officer. A source said: 'Some of the depraved crimes this lot have committed could easily be adapted into a Hollywood blockbuster. 'The last thing they need is to be given any twisted ideas - they shouldn't even be allowed TVs in the first place.' Also available for prison movie nights is Fifty Shades of Grey, Brokeback Mountain and American Pie. Lags can also kick back and watch a documentary about real-life child killers Fred and Rose West. But critics have basted the film fiasco and are urging prison bosses to review the rules. A spokesman for the Prison Officers' Association told MailOnline: 'Given all the factors such as overcrowding, drug use, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside our prisons, the last thing we need is anything else adding to the tension or temperatures. 'It is something that the SPS should be reviewing as a priority with a view to limiting the availability of these films.' Elsewhere, the Scottish Conservatives are urging SNP ministers to order jail chiefs to remove the X-rated flicks. Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: 'Ordinary Scots will be appalled that inmates are being provided with X-rated movies by prisons. 'England and Wales banned 18-rated movies and TV shows from their prisons 12 years ago and it is about time that the Scottish Prison Service followed suit. 'Many of the prisoners at Barlinnie will be behind bars for violent crimes, so it is common sense they should not be able to access graphically violent material about serial killers and torturers. 'Prisoners trying to get clean will also not be helped by having access to content that promotes drug use. 4 Scottish Conservaites shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr blasted the SNP Credit: Alamy 'SNP Ministers must intervene and immediately direct the SPS to remove violent or sexual films from our prisons.' A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson added: 'Access to watching DVDs is a privilege not a right, and is available at the discretion of the Governor.'
The Courier
3 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Castle Huntly prisoners to work for Tayside Contracts across Dundee
Castle Huntly prisoners are to be given work placements across Dundee shortly before release. Tayside Contracts is one of more than 70 firms that has entered into a partnership with the prison. But the contractor insists the prisoners will not work in or around schools or anywhere requiring PVG (protecting vulnerable groups) clearance. The project is designed to support the rehabilitation of low-risk prisoners towards the end of their sentences. The work is expected to significantly enhance their chances to get work and integrate back into society. It's also designed to reduce the risk of reoffending. Tayside Contracts will provide work experience in a range of sectors, including construction, facilities management, and catering. The placements are designed to offer structured, meaningful work opportunities that build skills, foster personal responsibility and prepare individuals for life beyond prison. However, Tayside Contracts, which provides services in many of the region's schools, insists no prisoners would be placed in schools or any location where PVG checks are required. In addition, the firm told The Courier that full risk assessments would be undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service and Tayside Contracts prior to all placements. Tayside Contracts joint committee convener Steven Rome said: 'Research consistently shows that access to employment is one of the key factors in successful rehabilitation. 'By offering low-risk prisoners the chance to work with an established, reputable employer the partnership helps bridge the gap between the prison environment and gaining fulfilling employment.' The contractor says it plans to work with all participants to ensure they gain the skills needed for long-term employment. Councillor Rome, who represents Dundee North East (SNP), added: 'The partnership is a reflection of Tayside Contracts' ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community, whilst providing second chances for those looking to turn their lives around'. Marcus Whitehead, head of offender outcomes at HMP Castle Huntly said it was expanding the range of work placements available. He said: 'Work placements are crucial for people in custody as they allow for a managed and supported reintegration into the community. 'This ultimately gives them a better chance for success when they are released.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Vodka-fuelled stock car racer who killed beloved grandad pictured back at motoring event
"It's disgusting my brother lost his life, we lost a brother, a dad, a grandad, a husband while he hasn't even served two years and is back at the stock car racing." A stock car driver who killed a beloved grandad in a vodka-fuelled crash has been pictured at a motoring event just two years after he was jailed. Marc Fortune, 30, smashed into the back of 63-year-old John King's vehicle when his young grandkids were in the car in 2020, hours after he was spotted knocking back drinks at a race day. He fled the scene leaving John to die while one of the children, who suffered injuries in the incident, alerted the emergency services. Fortune was found guilty of death by dangerous driving in 2023 and locked up for six years, but his victim's family were left devastated to learn he was spotted at Cowdenbeath Racewall on Sunday - just miles from where they family live in Lochgelly. John's brother, James, 66, told the Record: "We haven't heard anything from the Scottish Prison Service and this is disgusting. I have had to break this news to John's wife Ann and she still isn't over his death. "She was just dumbfounded and furious when I told her. My brother lost his life, his family lost a dad, a grandad and a husband. Fortune hasn't even served two years and has barely shown any remorse at all for his actions. "Now he's back at the stock car racing, at a similar event to the one he was drinking at that night, without a shred of respect for what he has done. "We can actually hear the car engines at it because it is just a stone's throw from our homes. "It's really awful we have to be dragged through this again and it would be devastating and really traumatic if we had bumped into him out in the street before being told he is allowed out. "I don't know how we can continue on with our lives knowing he is on our doorstep without serving even half of his sentence." John's niece, Laura King, 39, added that she is "disgusted" to hear Fortune is back around cars again. She said: "It's barely two years since his conviction. I'm absolutely dumbfounded." John, who had served in the Falkland Islands with the Royal Navy, passed away after suffering extensive injuries when Fortune forced his car off the road before it spun down an embankment on the A92 near Cowdenbeath in September 2020. Fortune was banned from the road for 10 years along with his custodial sentence, but it is understood he has since been on home leave after being moved to the open prison at HMP Castle Huntly. He was pictured attending the Formula One Stock car racing event at Cowdenbeath Racehall last weekend. In the photo shared with the Record, he appears to be working on his dad John Fortune's vehicle - which has their surname spray painted across its side. His dad went on to win the race. A source told the Daily Record there was a general feeling of "discomfort and anger" when people recognised the drink-driving killer at the event. They said: "A friend spotted him working on his dad's car. I couldn't believe it at first. I thought he was still inside. "I couldn't bear thinking about the distress the family would feel when they found out he was out enjoying himself. There was a lot of ill feeling around the area in light of what happened to John King so the community was shocked he was so brazen showing his face. "So much for justice being served." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. First offender Fortune was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. During his trial the judge paid tribute to the "incredible fortitude" of John's grandchild for managing to call the emergency services. Prosecutor Richard Goddard KC said: "With remarkable courage and presence of mind, he dialled 999. He was highly distressed, but able to remain on the phone and describe the road he had travelled to allow the emergency services to locate him. He was able to describe the condition of (John) and the other child. Towards the end of the call, he approached the road and used his mobile phone torch to successfully guide police." A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'We do not on individuals.'
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Four men in court over death of prisoner 'pushed from balcony' at HMP Addiewell
Kyle Byrne, 33, Kadil Huseen, 34, Craig Munro, 38 and Dylan Rigby, 23, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on Friday. Four men have appeared in court over the death of a prisoner who was allegedly " pushed from a balcony" at HMP Addiewell. Kyle Byrne, 33, Kadil Huseen, 34, Craig Munro, 38 and Dylan Rigby, 23, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on Friday. All four were charged with culpable homicide and made no plea. The case was committed for further examination. All men will be remanded in custody and are due to reappear in court within the next eight days. It comes after police were called to the West Lothian jail after receiving reports of a disturbance in December last year. Cops attended and inmate Lewis Spence, 28, was found with serious injuries. Spence was raced to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he later died. Police initially treated the death as 'unexplained'. The Scottish Prison Service said a report would follow to the Procurator Fiscal and a Fatal Accident Inquiry be held in due course. Spence, 28, was serving time for a violent attempted murder of a 40-year-old in Edinburgh in September 2020. A statement from SPS said: " Lewis Spence, 28, of HMP Addiewell, has died on 18 December 2024. With each death in custody, Police Scotland are advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Fatal Accident Inquiries are held in due course." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
JK: I will fund the legal actions of women forced to share prisons with men
JK Rowling has offered to bankroll the legal campaigns of female prisoners who have been forced to share jails with biological men. Killer Jane Sutherley is considering legal action against the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) after she was forced to share facilities with transgender women. She is one of potentially 'hundreds of women who have grounds for legal action' over the controversial trans policy, it was yesterday warned, and the wave of cases could end up costing a substantial sum. And Ms Rowling, one of the world's most foremost campaigners on women's rights, has now revealed she would be willing to help fund the campaigns. The Harry Potter author said: 'Of course I'd give financial backing to any women who wanted to sue because she suffered detriments through being incarcerated with a man. 'Women being locked up with men is a human rights violation. Vulnerable women being forced to agree that a man is a woman is a human rights violation. 'A surgically altered man is not a 'fully anatomical woman'. Saying these things is not hate, but truth.' Latest public figures from the SPS reveal there are 16 trans prisoners north of the Border, including killer Alexandra Stewart who was born male and called Alan Baker. Stewart was locked up with women at HMP Greenock, and struck up a relationship with child killer Nyomi Fee. This week Sutherley was acquitted of a four-year long campaign against Stewart and Fee, and it is understood that she is now taking legal advice on action against the SPS. Susan Smith, of For Women Scotland, yesterday warned the SPS that their policies broke the law and had done for years. She warned: 'We imagine there are potentially hundreds of women who have grounds for legal action over a policy which was degrading, humiliating and breached their human rights as well as equality law. 'We have always said that it was only a matter of time before a prisoner took action. 'The Government and the SPS have been guilty of arrogance and complacency - as well as a brutal disregard for these vulnerable women - and it is likely to cost them a great deal.' For Women Scotland are responsible for the stunning court room victory over the Scottish Government, one which has sent public organisations and private firms into a panic after their trans policies were ruled to be unlawful. But rather than act immediately, many have insisted on waiting for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to finish a consultation on its updated statutory guidance on applying the Equality Act. In April's landmark Supreme Court ruling the words 'women' and 'sex' in the 2010 Act were found to refer to biological women and biological sex. Following the judgment, the equality watchdog issued updated guidance, which said that trans women 'should not be permitted to use the women's facilities' in workplaces or public facing services such as shops or hospitals, with the same applying for trans men using men's toilets. The SPS transgender policies are currently that trans prisoners can be housed in facilities of their desired gender, but this would only happen when 'staff have enough information to reach a decision that a trans individual can be safely accommodated'. The service, which said it had an 'individualised approach', said it 'ensures that any transgender woman with a history of violence against women and girls, who presents a risk to women and girls, will not be placed in the women's estate'. But Ms Smith said: 'The SPS has had ample warning that they were operating an unlawful policy. 'Even before our recent victory in the Supreme Court, the Inner House established that the sort of self-identification policies employed by the SPS were not permitted under the Equality Act.' A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: 'Our staff work hard to support the health, safety and wellbeing of all people living and working in Scotland's prisons. 'We have received the Supreme Court judgment and are considering any potential impact it may have.'
