From youth offender to junior doctor: ‘I wrote a plan and stuck to it’

Steven Beattie’s journey from a troubled youth to an aspiring medical professional is a powerful story of transformation and resilience. During his teenage years, Steven repeatedly found himself inside Polmont young offenders’ institution, once described by a former governor as “the most violent prison in Scotland.” His initial incarceration at age 16 followed a drunken car crash in a stolen vehicle. Over the subsequent four years, his involvement with gangs and violent incidents led to multiple returns to Polmont.

The moment that sparked change for Steven came when he was disciplined for participating in a fight, confined to his cell for 23 hours a day and stripped of his TV. Reflecting on that experience in an interview with BBC’s Scotcast, he remarked, “I never really had time to sit down and think where my life was going. When they took my telly, I finally had that opportunity.” This forced pause prompted him to question his future and reconsider his path. He realized if he continued down the same road, the outcome would be undesirable. “If I don’t like that destination, I’ll have to change it,” he said. He created a personal plan and committed to it, marking the beginning of a difficult but determined effort to reshape his life. Now, after years of perseverance, Steven is about to graduate as a junior doctor.

Growing up in the Hillington area of south-west Glasgow was challenging for Steven. He was a caregiver for both his parents; his father suffered from Parkinson’s disease, and his mother battled paranoid schizophrenia and cancer, which eventually claimed her life. The stress at home was intense, and Steven acknowledges that very few of his teachers were aware of his struggles, partly because he felt too embarrassed to reveal what he was going through. “A lot of the time I couldn’t make school because I was up to three in the morning looking after my parents,” he recalls. This burden inevitably affected his educational performance, though he now offers himself “a degree of sympathy” in recognition of those hardships.

Steven describes the environment around him during the 1990s and early 2000s as dominated by rampant gang violence, making it almost impossible to avoid trouble. Although Polmont initially served as a deterrent, once inside, its harsh realities set in. He shares how the relentless noise and constant disruptions—people shouting, doors being kicked—impacted him deeply, particularly mentally, stating: “You can imagine the effect it has on a developing brain, being in that environment for years at a time.” Determined to change, Steven outlined three goals for himself: leave Glasgow, stop drinking, and cut ties with those involved in trouble. He started his own personal training business, became an award-winning MMA fighter under the nickname ‘Doctor Beatdown’, and ultimately pursued his ambition of becoming a doctor. After completing an access course and studying physiology, he gained admission to medical school at the University of Dundee and is now preparing to graduate, hoping to specialize in surgery, neurology, or emergency medicine.

Recently, Polmont came under media attention again due to a severe prison riot involving about 30 inmates, requiring assistance from officers at other facilities to regain control. Linda Pollock, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, highlighted overcrowding as a key factor driving tension within the institution. Steven also points to the impact of overcrowding on rehabilitation efforts: “The staff just no longer have the capacity to give attention to individual prisoners.” He believes this lack of support can make inmates feel forgotten and unsupported, which diminishes their chances of successful reintegration into society. Despite his difficult past, Steven’s experiences have instilled in him a profound appreciation for life and a determination to seize the opportunities ahead. “I think I’ve got an appreciation for life that a lot of people don’t have because I know how bad it can get,” he reflected