Fears Scots criminals are applying to work as screws to be secret drug mules

THE governor of Scotland’s biggest jail fears criminals are applying for jobs as screws to serve as secret drug mules.

Barlinnie boss Mick Stoney admits the Glasgow nick is fighting a losing battle against illicit substances.

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And he said he could not rule out the possibility that underworld figures were recruiting staff to break the law themselves.

He told BBC documentary Inside Barlinnie: “When people get corrupted, we’re not quite sure of the route.

“We don’t know.

“But are there people taking up employment in the prison service for that sole purpose?

“There could be because there is money to be made.

“We fight the battle as best we can but drugs will get into prison because they will go to any extreme.”

Barlinnie, opened in 1882, has been ruled no longer fit for purpose.

It will be replaced in 2027 by £100million HMP Glasgow.

With in excess of 1,400 inmates, it is more than 40 per cent over capacity.

And drugs and violence are rife.

The three-part BBC series includes shocking scenes where inmates threaten staff on camera.