Carlin
Carlin (Ray Winstone) is the main antihero in Scum. His number is 4737.
A strong character; intelligent, resourceful and dominant, Carlin is incarcerated after taking the rap for his brother (who had numerous convictions) for stealing scrap metal. He arrives at the borstal intent on keeping his head down, having been transferred from another institution for assaulting a warder (he insists that this was in self-defence). For this reason, the warders are intent on making life as hard for him as possible. He soon befriends Archer who helpfully informs Carlin on their first meeting that his reputation had arrived long before Carlin himself did, and that Banks - the 'Daddy' - would be seeking him out. This gives Carlin time to observe and prepare but the warders' deliberate decision to put Carlin in a dormitory with Banks and his honchos, rather than a single cell, enables the bullies to give Carlin a late-night beating, and Carlin's black eye earns him a period of time in solitary confinement for fighting. His initial tactic is to ingratiate himself with the Christian Governor; courteous and enthusiastic, he announces that his Anglican religion is a "great comfort". He denies any violence, and never argues punishment no matter how unjust.
After persistent abuse from Banks and his toadies, and provocation from Sands that gets him into trouble with the warders, Carlin realises he will not be allowed to serve out his sentence in peace, and so must take over. To do so he must choose his time and place with care: although not detailed, some of Carlin's new associates/allies will have enabled his move. So, early one cold midwinter evening, Carlin casually strolls into the association room. He scoops up two snooker balls, inserting them in a sock taken from his pocket, as he walks past. The snooker players Meakin and Toyne instantly comprehend this alteration to their game, and coolly rearrange it. Walking through to the adjacent television room, Carlin arrives to witness a typical sample of Richards' bullying: kicking at Woods' chair, demanding he move, then threatening Archer when he comes to Woods' defence. Calm, in control, yet utterly furious, Carlin swings his makeshift cosh overarm down onto Richards' face. Eckersley, the other Banks toady in the room, makes a frantic attempt to flee through the snooker room but Carlin orders him "Back, grass! I said get back!" and Eckersley obediently sinks shamefacedly into the nearest chair: a cowardly toady unmasked. Richards still down, Carlin exits.; passing the snooker table he unloads the balls from his sock, advises Meakin to "Carry on", then runs upstairs. As he glances into the dorm, Jackson silently indicates with his ever-present comb that Banks is in the bathroom next door. Bursting in there, Carlin rapidly reduces Banks to a semi-conscious blood-pulped mess. Mr Sands soon finds Banks and, in his fury and frustration at discovering his favourite ruined, assaults him further for losing - and for refusing to name his assailant. He finds Carlin resting peacefully in the dorm (with Jackson as a witness) then when he storms into Association demanding explanations, he is met by a wall of uncomprehending innocence.
Carlin duly becomes the 'Daddy' and his position is assured and recognised throughout. Housemaster Goodyear agrees to move him from the dormitory to a single cell in return for Carlin to exercise responsibly his status as a "natural leader". Carlin has also gained status with some of the previously hostile warders who recognise his good influence and leadership. Despite maintaining his position at all costs, Carlin's 'regime' is considerably more enlightened - and peaceable - than that of Banks. Carlin never abuses weaker or younger boys nor does he incite racially-motivated beatings on the black inmates (Banks gleefully engendered both). He is assigned to work in the laundry (a favoured position in the winter) along with Archer whose company he enjoys, as well as appreciating his intelligence and perception. Unlike Banks who had only his two bullying sidekicks, Carlin continues to share his mealtime table with those he sat with when he first arrived and who have proved to be his allies: Archer, Meakin, Jackson, Rhodes, Betts, Woods and Davis. However Carlin keeps the seat to his right free, for occupying as required by bearers of the news . One of these is Dougan, an unusually numerate inmate who, as the tea-trolley boy during visiting/association had been deployed by Banks to collect money brought in for inmates by their relatives. But only coins are permitted in the borstal. Metal detectors make coins impossible, so notes must be exchanged inside for coins. Banks had given 50p in the pound. Carlin offered 40p, explaining that he must give less to assert his dominance but is eventually persuaded by the astute Dougan to compromise at 45p. Such bargaining is necessary, as Carlin must not be seen to be 'soft' - especially given his lack of 'enforcers' and his evident intolerance of bullying of vulnerable inmates.
Carlin tries to advise Davis on better ways to keep his head down after Davis is fitted up by Eckersley and placed on report, but ultimately cannot save the youngster from committing suicide. He is, however, subsequently unafraid to show leadership to every inmate by starting the dining room riot in protest at the lack of care and protection from the system shown to Davis.
1977 Version[]
Carlin is portrayed again by actor Ray Winstone in this earlier BBC screenplay version with a few alterations, the most noteable being Carlin's same-sex relationship with inmate Peter Rhodes. This was dropped from the Alan Clarke 1979 film, much to Roy Minton's disapproval, as he claimed it added more vulnerable depth of character to Carlin.
Ray Winstone has claimed he was not comfortable in portraying this earlier version of Carlin, and the homosexual scene was written out at Winstone's request for the 1979 remake.