General Chat

CROOKS at a troubletorn jail dubbed the softest in Scotland are looking forward to a slap-up Chinese dinner.

Cushy Addiewell prison in West Lothian has been plagued by violence, with warders hospitalised by thugs and cons rioting over a shortage of Mars Bars.

Lags have constantly caused trouble despite enjoying flat-screen TVs, Sky Sports, en-suite bathrooms, extra visits and treats and access to computers.

Now bosses at the privately run prison have laid on the oriental banquet for next Monday, with a Chinese prisoner as the chef. They hope the dinner to mark the Chinese new year will help improve relations between cons and guards.

Prisoners will tuck into beef in black bean sauce, crispy seaweed, spicy Singapore noodles, fried rice and prawn crackers.

An insider at Addiewell, nicknamed the Addieson after the Radisson hotel chain, said: "This has gone down a treat with the prisoners.

"When you are inside you don't expect to be able to do normal things like sit down to a Chinese meal. The guys are hoping it will be streets ahead of the normal scran.

"Getting it on top of the usual meal is a real bonus."

Addiewell, run by private firm Kalyx, opened in December 2008.

And just weeks later, cons went on the rampage when they didn't get sweets they ordered from the canteen.

Last summer, a warder was put in hospital by a lifer. And another officer was hospitalised in October after 20 inmates ran amok.

Sources said staff shortages had turned the drug-ridden jail into a "powderkeg".

Former chief prisons inspector Clive Fairweather claimed bosses were cutting back on guards to save money.

Asked about the Chinese banquet, Kalyx said it was "part of our drive to recognise equality and diversity".

This comes after yet another incident at the "prison" last Sunday.

Remember all you taxpayers, YOU'RE PAYING FOR THIS!!!

I think that's going too far giving the prisoners a slap up meal. However above all else I value my freedom and no amount of luxuries would make up for the loss of that. I'd just as soon be able to decide if and when I want a Chinese meal and which restaurant I want it from.

Sue

i think i may kill somebody to get inside there

So Keith - you think life would be better behind bars? Ok so you would have computer access, flat screen tv etc. but would you be able to go fishing with your grandson whenever you like? I think not.

Sue

I agree with you, Sue - can't think of much worse than having your liberty taken from you. I always hope prison is a blend of punishment and rehabilitation and it must work for some because I know plenty of people who have only been in the once. But it obviously doesn't work for everyone cos there are just as many who reoffend. Don't know what the answer is.

very good point Sue
i must not go inside

Hi, Uggers. We would always hope that some rehabilitation is attempted for all prisoners but as you say it doesn't always work. We also have to remember that not all prisoners are "bad" people. There are some people in prison because they have made mistakes and go on to lead a good life. Not all are murderers etc.

Sue

I have never been to prison I have never even been in one, none of my family have. I detest the culture of prison to be worn as a badge of honour, also as you have said a holiday, but if we look at the suicides rates in the last 5 years this may tell a different story!

I imagine to an inmate is like survival of strongest, there are the prison bullies, beatings, gang rapes, a different culture that many of us has never heard of. I don’t believe for 1 min that cons or lags have free internet use, if they are using computers it will be in a class room environment as many course’s are ran to help lags/cons in rehabilitation programs after all that’s is what prisons are for now a days, to correct their way of life and help them move on away from crime. Some move away from it and some are repeat offenders. It was always my worst nightmare when my sons where in their early teens and thank god for that they are well behaved.

Well said, Hayley. I agree with what you have said.

Sue x

Having read the piece twice no disrespect to Vods for posting it but it just shouts typical media hype and that’s why I despite the ruddy press.

If what the wardens are saying is true, about the cut back in Staff to increase the profits of the Private Company, who are paid by the Tax Payers - then your Politicians are the ones to make a strong protest in writing about the conditiions of this Jail.

I also feel to have my 'Freedom' taken away - would be a living hell, in Luxury or without.

If you think about it in another way its sort of like giving the kids a treat so you can get your shopping done in peace, the meal is a privilege and the prisoners sould respect that, hopefully it should give the wardens a peaceful shift, and I have just had another thought, lags work in the ktichen so it maybe a bit of education for them as well their fellow cons may see the hard work they have put in to making the meal! .

Dont get me wrong Rita like you I am a great believer in if you didnt committ a crime you would be in prison so if that is what you have choosen shut up and do yer bird, however that doesnt mean they live the life of luxury once in there....if you look at the stats surely even if they are even stevens 50 - 50 ,if this helps in rehabilitation 50% or even less I am all for it.

I knew of sombody who made a point of being arrested and locked up as it was warmer and she got fed.
She had a serious drink problem and died a couple of years ago.

Bread and water sounds good to me lol

Rita of course they are going to film them in their recreation time it gives off a good image of the prison on the grovnors point of view they are hardly going to film some one being beaten and bullied are they..lol

I wonder how many of us would hold their hands up and admitt they have ever brought knock off goods?

I was surprised recently that inmates were allowed computer access, and facebook to boot......and some were using it to intimidate their victims......

.....how can this be allowed.......they are supposed to be in there to serve some sort of punishment.....

....it did cross my mind that to take the pressure off wardens and prison officials, having access to computers and mobile phones would keep the prisoners quieter, so they would not cause too many problems.....

Won't go on.....I have too much to say....

I think they were suggesting that they were using Facebook when on temporary license (ie when they are released for the weekend) or on parole.