EXCLUSIVE: Former Kilmarnock prisoner calls for better support as he feared for his life

A man who spent two months behind bars at HMP Kilmarnock is revealing how he feared he wouldn't make it out alive.

The first time offender, who has asked to remain anonymous, is sharing his experience in the hope it'll lead to changes at the privately run jail.

He says, "It is scary. To me, the criminals are running the prison. There are guys getting randomly stabbed and slashed with forks and blades.

"Granted, you're a prisoner and you are going in there to be punished. But you don't expect to fear for your own life because you have made a mistake. For a working class person, it is petrifying."

The former prisoner was transferred to a Government run jail in Glasgow which he said was completely different to his initial experience.

He said there were first night or first offender centres and inductions which made the transition easier. He also claims prisoners were separated better based on the severity of their crime which made him feel safe.

He added, "There are a lot of sex offenders in Kilmarnock. When I had a visit from my young nephew, they were allowed to be there. Surely the prison should have a duty of care to the public? Some sex offenders aren't supposed to be around children so in my opinion that shouldn't be allowed to happen."

"There needs to be change. Not every prisoner is going to be a repeat offender or career criminal. They need to be given a better chance to rehabilitate. The whole place needs to start from scratch so people believe that they are going to come home."

Michael Guy, Serco’s Prison Director at HMP Kilmarnock said: “The manning levels and numbers of prisoners in the prison are both operating within the required levels and we are confident about the safety of everyone at the prison, which is always our first priority.”