Covid in Scotland: Barlinnie prisoners locked down after outbreak

Another member of staff at Glasgow's Barlinnie prison has tested positive for coronavirus.

Two inmates and five staff at the jail have already been confirmed as having Covid-19.

On Saturday the Scottish Prison Service said more than 250 inmates were put into lockdown, with 12 staff from the jail's A hall also isolating.

All visits to A hall have been suspended until at least the end of October.

An SPS spokesman said the rest of the prison was not affected by the outbreak or visiting ban.

He added that contact tracing was being carried out for staff members.

Earlier this year, the Scottish government approved new early release regulations to help the prison system cope with Covid cases.

The move, designed to free up more cells for single-use occupancy, could allow up to 450 inmates to get out of prison early.

But only those sentenced to 18 months or less and with 90 days or less left to serve are potentially eligible. Some serious offences are excluded.