PRISON officers in Scotland's largest jail have been warned not to use excessive force against inmates after an inspection by Europe's anti-torture watchdog.
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), which visited several Scottish prisons, said relations between prisoners and staff were "generally positive", but they had received allegations about Barlinnie and complaints of verbal abuse by female prison officers at Cornton Vale.
A number of inmates at Kilmarnock Prison, meanwhile, said they did not feel safe and the inspectors said the atmosphere in the facility was "rather tense". It recommended officials take a more proactive stance towards tackling bullying at the site. The Scottish Prison Service said an anti-bullying strategy had been put in place at Kilmarnock.
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