Prisoners in Scotland’s Barlinnie prison have been subjected to an unprecedented regime of hip-hop. The largest prison in Scotland, situated in Glasgow, has been experimenting with a hip-hop regime on selected prisoners. Next year it gets grimmer. Cruel and unusual punishment?
In 2023 a group of prisoners were selected for two months of hip–hop treatment. They were forced to embrace the rhythmic doggerel torture. Some took to it in the knowledge that there was more than one way to inflict pain. At the end of the sessions they got to inflict hip-hop on the other prisoners.
Next year the plan is to up the pain with folk music. Penal Reform campaigers are seeking a judicial review to determine if this amounts to cruel and unusual punishment?
Reviews of Barlinnie Prison have been mixed. Some complain that the cells are freezing to the point that you have to wear your clothes in bed, one liked it so much they’ve been sent there five times, one visitor thought the guards were lovely.