Praise for anti-sectarian project

The course challenged Old Firm fans about their views

Polmont Young Offenders Institution has been praised for a scheme to cut sectarianism among inmates.

Officials set up a six-week course to reduce sectarian-related violence in the jail.

Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing visited the prison to present awards to three inmates who completed the course.

Titled 'A Culture of Two Halves' the scheme is also being piloted at HMP Barlinnie and Celtic and Rangers football clubs.

The programme, which is run with support from YouthLink Scotland and Victim Support, is part of a training and rehabilitation programme for those involved.

Now that I've learned about it, it has opened my eyes that I've been sectarian basically all my life Sean Polmont YOI

Deputy governor of Polmont YOI Bill Middleton said the course was aimed at challenging deep routed views.

He said: "We saw it as a need because we've had a few fights with boys in their rooms who put up posters of Celtic or Rangers.

"Sectarianism is seen as something that was contributing to some of the violence and also some of the offences that the boys were committing outside."

One inmate, Sean, 18, from Glasgow said before the course he was unaware his views were sectarian.

'Changing attitudes'

He said: "I'm a Celtic fan and the course really opened my eyes about the IRA and the rivalry between Scotland and England.

"Before, when I went to matches, I would sing sectarian stuff but I didn't think it was sectarian until I went on this course.

"Now that I've learned about it, it has opened my eyes that I've been sectarian basically all my life."

Mr Ewing said he hoped to see the course repeated across Scotland.

He said: "What I've learned in speaking to the young men who volunteered for this course is that they now understand much more about the reasons for the sectarian troubles and they've now learned that there's no place in Scotland for sectarianism.

"We are, I believe, changing attitudes, but it takes a generation or two, not a year or two, but I do see signs that the worst sort of behaviour is now being committed by a far fewer number, so I think great progress has been made."