The SNP have been urged to show “common sense and respect to hard-pressed Scots” after it emerged that their prisons quango is spending taxpayers’ cash on perks such as Sky TV, yoga classes and snooker for criminals.
Responding to a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Prison Service revealed that £1.2million has been spent on inmates through its Common Good Fund since 2019-20.
Shadow minister for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey said much of the funding allocation would anger hard-pressed taxpayers, who feel “the SNP put the interests of criminals before those of law-abiding Scots”.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey said: “It’s time for the SNP to show some common sense and respect to hard-pressed Scottish taxpayers.
“Many of these perks for prisoners are hard to justify full stop, but at a time when Scots workers are being clobbered with tax rises by both the SNP and Labour governments, this will stick in the throat of taxpayers.
“People up and down Scotland are having to cut back on satellite TV services and subscriptions, yet they are being made to shell out on providing them for prisoners. It’s unfair and wrong.
“There needs to be a review of how much and where the money is allocated to ensure taxpayers’ interests are best served.
“This is yet more evidence – on top of the list of lavish facilities being provided at the new £1 billion prison in Glasgow – that the SNP put the interests of criminals before those of law-abiding Scots.”
Notes to editors
Over £1.2 million has been spent through the Common Good Fund in Scottish prisons since 2019-20. Since 2019-20, £1,208,127.16 has been spent through prisons common good fund. This includes money spent on Sky subscriptions, yoga classes, donuts and more. (FOI Attached)
Over £200,000 spent on Sky TV subscriptions through the prison Common Good Fund since 2019-20. Since 2019-20, £207,685 has been spent on Sky subscriptions through the prison Common Good Funds Broken down by prison, HMP Barlinnie spent £27,850 on Sky subscriptions; HMP Edinburgh spent £10,178; HMP Glenochil spent £54,589; HMP Edinburgh spent £16,694; HMP Huntly spent £50,010 and HMP Low Moss spent £48,362. This included £19,501 on the Sky Ultimate & Cinema package at HMP Low Moss. (FOI Attached)
Almost £70,000 has been spent on snooker and pool services/equipment through the Common Good Fund since 2019-20. Since 2019-20, £67,745 has been spent on snooker services and equipment since 2019/20. (FOI Attached)
Over £7,000 has been spent on yoga classes through the prison common good fund since 2019-20. Since 2019-20, £7,532 has been spent on yoga classes through prisons common good funds. (FOI Attached)
£1,200 has been spent on ‘donuts for Burns nights’ through the prison Common Good Fund. HMP Barlinnie spent £1,170 on donuts for Burns night in 2023. (FOI Attached)
The SNP’s billion-pound replacement for Barlinnie will have fruit trees, allotment plots and a ‘health and wellbeing’ garden. The proposed HMP Glasgow, which will replace Barlinnie, is set to include a health and wellbeing garden for ‘reflection, prayer and meditation’. It will also include a horticultural area with raised beds, allotments, fruit trees and polytunnels. (Scottish Daily Mail, 7 February 2025, link).