A former Glasgow gangster will give his first interview in 25 years in a new documentary about Barlinnie.
Jimmy Boyle will talk candidly about his experience at the Riddrie prison and how it gradually transformed his life in the upcoming BBC series Inside Barlinnie.
The Gorbals moneylender was incarcerated for the murder of fellow gangland member William ‘Babs’ Rooney, which he always denied committing.
READ MORE: Glasgow's 'Big Hoose' that rehabilitated a notorious Gorbals gangster
But while in the prison's special unit, he wrote an autobiography A Sense of Freedom, and upon his release in 1980, he became a respected writer and sculptor.
The documentary will focus on prison life at 'The Big Hoose' or the Bar-L, which is Scotland's largest jail housing over 1400 inmates.
Also among the contributors are Prison Governor Mick Stoney, journalists who covered many of the big stories, and current and past jail staff.
READ MORE: Pictures reveal construction has begun on new Glasgow prison to replace Barlinnie
This opening episode examines the crisis in the 1980s which triggered a mass riot resulting in a rooftop protest where prison officers were held hostage.
Prisoners and officers from that era will re-live their experiences, recalling the regular bouts of violence and chaos before reforms were introduced.
Meanwhile, a new batch of recruits to the service are being inducted at Barlinnie and Governor Stoney discusses the qualities needed to succeed as a prison officer.
READ MORE: Glasgow Crime Stories: The history and life of Jimmy Boyle
In modern times, while prison violence has reduced there are still incidents to contend with, as inmate Keiran deals with the aftermath of assaulting a prison officer and his cellmate.
He reflects on his crimes and traumas and how he is now benefitting from the mental health support the prison provides as he tries to turn his life around.
Inside Barlinnie is a Friel Kean Films production for BBC Scotland. All episodes are available on iPlayer from Tuesday, October 8 and episode one airs at 10pm the same day.
It comes ahead of Barlinnie closing after 142 years as plans are underway to build a new facility, HMP Glasgow, to replace it.
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