Family of Addiewell prisoner's victim slam minister over "easy time" parties

Sister of slain Stephen Quigley slams claims there are no “systemic concerns” over HMP Addiewell, despite cons posting photos of 24 hour drugs and hooch parties on social media

04:30, 11 Apr 2026

Scotland’s justice minister has been slammed for telling families outraged by prison drugs parties in a Scottish jail that there’s no major problems to sort out.

After the Daily Record detailed repeated instances of men inside HMP Addiewell posting videos on TikTok boasting of “easy time” and “24 hour parties”, Angela Constance was asked for assurances that action would be taken.

But the prisons boss claimed that recent inspections had raised no “systemic concerns” – despite the family of slain Stephen Quigley telling how they are living a life sentence while his killer, Ben McCulloch, is orchestrating shock videos from his prison cell.

Stephen’s sister Catrina said: “If Angela Constance is saying that an inspection gave Addiewell a bill of health it would seem pretty clear that a lot has changed since that inspection.

“From the videos and Instagram posts we’ve been forced to endure, I’d say there are very obvious systemic concerns, as these videos are being put out again and again by a man who has shown no remorse for killing my brother.”

Catrina added. “I would suggest that Addiewell is overdue another proper visit and I would also think it would make sense to do so without arranging a date, which would allow them to get their house in order for an inspection.

“It is beyond belief that prisoners are able to get as many drugs as they like and to get drunk on prison hooch then put it all out on social media. If Angela Constance thinks there’s nothing to see then she’s not opening her eyes to the evidence that anyone can see on TikTok.”

The Daily Record told previously how gangster’s son Ben McCulloch, then 26, fatally stabbed best friend Stephen in the head, then callously dumped him on a pavement within a hospital’s grounds, where he died. He escasped with a nine and a half year sentence for culpable homicide.

A photo of McCulloch in Shotts jail was later published on Instagram, with a caption that said Stephen was dead, adding “haha!”

Remorseless McCulloch, stripped to the waist, later filmed repeated videos from inside Addiewell that gloried in the “easy time” inside – adding further torment for the dead man’s family.

The case sparked fury and prompted MP Gregor Poynton to write to Angela Constance. He was unimpressed with the response.

Poynton said: “Angela Constance’s response is a do-nothing reply that will offer no reassurance to victims’ families. She’s once again passing the buck instead of taking responsibility, despite being both Justice Secretary and the local MSP.

“People can see what’s happening with their own eyes. Footage appearing to show prisoners openly taking drugs, drinking alcohol and boasting about an ‘easy time’ points to a prison that’s clearly lost control.

“This isn’t just shocking, it’s infuriating. Since I raised this, families from across Scotland have been in touch with me sharing deeply worrying experiences linked to Addiewell. Many feel ignored, and are angry at what they’re seeing online while they live with the consequences of crime. That’s not justice.”

He added: “This is exactly what people mean by SNP soft-touch justice, no urgency, no real action, and no leadership to get a grip, restore order, and make sure our prisons are places of discipline and rehabilitation, not chaos.”

In her letter to Poynton, Angela Constance states that the Scottish Prison Service and private firm Sodexo Justice Services, which runs Addiewell, are working hard to keep the prison safe.

Constance said the most recent full inspection of the jail by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) in November 2022 identified areas where improvements were required.

HMIPS made a short follow up inspection visit in April 2024 and a further full inspection of HMP Addiewell in the coming months.

She added: “Additionally, I can assure you that Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) have considered the findings from the most recent HMIPS inspection of HMP Addiewell, as well as the Annual and Mid-Year IPM

prison reports.

“Neither HMIPS nor IPMs have expressed systemic concerns about the overall safety of the establishment. “

Constance SPS will continue to look at a range of “tactical and technological measures” to keep illegal drugs out of Scottish prisons.

She said: “They are piloting the introduction of grilles on windows in three prisons to prevent items being passed from drone to an individual in a cell and regularly liaise with Police Scotland on these matters.”

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