What’s Cottonville?

Cottonville is a new prison specially designed for women criminals in Scotland. The 226 prisoners there live in small units of seven rooms. There is a kitchen where they cook their own meals and a lounge for the fitted carpet and armchairs. The "wake up, wake up" call by loudspeakers at 7:00 every morning is followed by a music program which creates atmosphere of a holiday camp. During the day, most of the prisoners are employed in three workshops, making toys or clothing. Their earnings up to 90 pennies a week can be spent in the prison shop. The gymnasium, which also acts as a cinema and concert hall, has facilities for table tennis, basketball and dancing. Prisoners, particularly those of long sentences are encouraged to be independent and take responsibility for themselves and others. This is in many ways much more demanding than simply serving time. Just as the deputy governor of this prison once said, "We try to preserve the prisoners respect as much as possible by imagining ourselves in their position." His words explained why this new prison is run in a unique way.