Prison guards claim that inmates have it “too easy” in Scotland

Jail prisoners are being increasingly “molly-coddled”, according to a survey of fed-up prison officers.

A damning report has revealed many staff believe criminals have it “too easy” behind bars, with prisons not acting as a deterrent.

The alarming revelation has come in a new survey of nearly 400 prison officers working across Scotland.

Nearly two-thirds think life is too easy for prisoners, with some citing “luxuries” like games consoles, multiple TV channels, sweets and chocolate plus pool and snooker tables which “law-abiding members of society cannot afford”.

Many agreed that the main purpose of prison should be to rehabilitate criminals, but felt that it was not acting as a deterrent because of the “comforts” of jails.

The survey was carried out by researcher Gary McArthur, from the University of Portsmouth, and published last week by the Scottish Prison Service.

He said: “While rehabilitation was the most important purpose of prison in the eyes of prison officers, there was scepticism over its effectiveness.”

The research found that 70% of officers either agreed or strongly agreed that “life is too easy for prisoners in Scotland”.

When asked if they believed prisoners were being punished by being in prison, one said: “Although a restriction of liberty is seen as a punishment, once behind the prison walls, there is a less than favourable punitive approach, more seen as molly-coddling.”

Another warned: “Everything is catered for a human being’s needs three square meals, newspaper, television, sweets, chocolate, Xbox, PlayStation, pool, snooker tables, gym, football pitches.

“In no way is this punishment.”

And another officer said criminals should “fear coming into prison” as it’s not a “hotel”.

The worker said: “Our current prison is more like a hotel and the programmes and education like a new college. It’s shocking, people are living in poverty and they are living in excellent clean conditions with a doctor and physiotherapy on call.”

Many also felt prisoners should serve their full sentence, instead of being released early. The findings chimed heavily with justice campaigners who want proper deterrents.

Jean Taylor, founder of the victims’ charity Families Fighting For Justice, said: “We rely on handouts like second-hand toys yet prisoners get the latest models. Our families have to wait ages for counselling, yet prisoners don’t.”

Margaret Mitchell, Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman, believes the concerns need to be listened to. “They are working at the ‘coal face’ and best placed to see how the prison regime is operating,” she said.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said people behind bars need to be reformed. He said: “The Scottish Prison Service believe that people are sent to prison as punishment and that prison itself is not a place for punishment.”

Do you think prisoners in Scotland have it too easy? Have your say in the comments below