Scotland's Gang War: How It’s Leading to 'Unfair Punishments' in Infamous Scottish Prison

PRISONERS in a notorious jail with feared mobsters have moaned that it is unfair how they all get punished over gang bust-ups — even those not involved.

They claimed authorities at HMP Low Moss come down too hard when blood is spilled behind bars, including ordering them all to eat alone in their cells for up to a week.

The string of gripes emerged following violence as the underworld was gripped by a turf war linked to caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson, 39 — an inmate at the overcrowded nick in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.

One disgruntled inmate told of being “unfairly” disciplined over clashes between rivals.

He told inspectors: “If there is a fight in the section, anyone involved gets put on a rule which is fair.

“But then the other 30-odd prisoners have to deal with ‘rec or snack’ and dine-ins for seven days even though they played no part. Unfairly punishing people makes no sense.”

Another fed-up lag echoed his moans about being forced to take meals in cells. He said it was unfair that “people that are not involved in the fight get punished for it”.

Others were more complimentary about conditions with one saying: “The majority of staff members here are respectful, helpful and caring.”

But another frustrated con whinged: “Everyone gets punished for two other people fighting.”

The concerns emerged in a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons in Scotland. It uncovered worries about the large number of cons with ties to organised crime crews.

The document also pinpointed unease about how rival thugs were being held in the same prison — where “enemies and mixed regimes” could be found.

Inspectors visited in August last year — five months after the gang war kicked off when firebomber Logan Carlin, 26, torched a beauty salon in Edinburgh’s Leith linked to Richardson.

It was the first in a wave of attacks by Tamo Junto maniacs allegedly ordered by ex-Union Bears ultra Ross ‘Miami’ McGill, 32.

He blamed Richardson’s lackeys for ripping him off with fake cash in a £500,000 cocaine deal.

The mayhem spread to Glasgow as the notorious Daniel crime clan were targeted by hoods with ties to their enemies in the Lyons mob.

Cops went on to nail a wave of thugs through their Operation Portaledge probe into the mayhem.

Last August, six of Richardson’s crew were locked up for a total of 101 years.

They included Michael Heeps, 35, whose reign of terror included murder bids and torching the cars of prison guards.

We told in November how Richardson was placed in solitary confinement at Low Moss amid fears for his safety.

But the Inspectorate report has given the jail a “satisfactory” rating for how it tackled trouble through “violence reduction measures”.

And it said attacks were being “consistently monitored and reviewed” along with concerns about drug smuggling and staff shortages.

Inspectors concluded: “A range of challenges included high prisoner numbers, cell sharing, the number of organised crime group nominals, together with enemies and mixed regimes, the introduction of illicit substances, and staff shortages.

“To combat the levels of violence, the establishment had implemented further measures.

“Powers to confine prisoners to their cell, to segregate them, or limit their opportunities to associate with others are exercised appropriately and in accordance with the law.

“The focus was on reintegration.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has since claimed in her annual performance report that the gang feud has now ended after rivals groups had reached a “resolution of differences”.

But Graeme Pearson, former head of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, warned the violence would continue to spill over in jail halls.

The ex-cop said: “We have a lot of competitors in prison — and there is no doubt there will be frictions arising as a result of that.”