Prison inspector condemns 'unacceptable' transport

GEOAmey has run the prison services system in Scotland since 2018

Problems with prison transport are causing hundreds of inmates to miss hospital appointments and family funerals, a report has revealed.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) said the human rights of inmates were also at risk of being violated due to "unacceptable" transport issues.

Transport provider GEOAmey said "multiple complex issues" including staff shortages, and a covid-related court backlog had affected its performance.

The inspectorate has recommended that stricter criteria are introduced the next time the transport contract is put out to tender.

The report also found prisoners endured "excessively long" journeys, without toilet stops, for short appearances in court.

HMIPS heavily criticised GEOAmey for near daily cancellations of planned transport and made 25 recommendations on improving services.

The inspectorate said failures have also led to NHS resources being wasted through cancelled hospital appointments.

These included prisoners being transported for cancer or exploratory treatment.

The report also found that on 22 August, 29 people were transported from several prisons to Glasgow Sheriff Court, only to be told they were not required.

On another occasion an inmate from Polmont Young Offenders Institution travelled 95 miles (152 km) to Dumfries for 10:00 and arrived back at 02:00 - after just a four-minute court appearance.

Another prisoner was due to attend his father's funeral at 10:30, but delayed transport meant he was 90 minutes late and missed the burial.

Others inmates reported having to urinate in plastic bags due to a lack of toilet stops on longer journeys.

HMIPS interim ch insp Stephen Sandham said the impact on the health, wellbeing and dignity of prisoners was "unacceptable".

He said the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and Scottish government had to work together to ensure GEOAmey complied with the new terms.

HMIPS recommended the use of digital video communications for external appointments and court appearances as far back as 2012.

Mr Sandham said: "Our recommendation is that the justice system as a whole embraces virtual hearings and ensures that every journey is necessary and as short as possible.

"Behind every prisoner transport journey is a human story and it is these stories that prompted us to shine a light on these issues."

Stephen Sandham said the impact on the health, wellbeing and dignity of prisoners had been unacceptable

Figures released in August found more than 1,500 delays to court proceedings were caused by those in custody being late.

The report acknowledged performance had "markedly improved" since the start of 2024.

Further recommendations include offering better pay to maintain a stable workforce and improving governance in prisons.

In July last year, the Law Society of Scotland criticised delays caused by GEOAmey's transport provision as "disgraceful".

GEOAmey said the HMIPS report focused on a "very challenging post-covid period".

A spokesperson said: "We take responsibility for our own failings whilst trying to service this contract through the post-covid period.

"GEOAmey delivers services that focus on people, and we fully recognise and accept there is a human story behind every failure.

"We again offer our sincere apologies to anyone impacted by the historic challenges we have faced."

'Room for improvement'

GEOAmey was the sole bidder for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) transport contract when it came up for tender in 2018.

The SPS said it would "carefully consider" the recommendations made by HMIPS and respond in full.

It added: "While the recalibration of our contract with GEOAmey has led to improved staffing and performance we are not complacent and will continue to monitor the contract closely."

Justice secretary Angela Constance said the SPS would continue "monitoring its performance".

She added: "Whilst there is clearly still room for improvement, HMIPS highlights the positive strides made by the Scottish government, the Scottish Prison Service and GEOAmey to improve compliance with the current contract.

"The Inspectorate acknowledges that performance has markedly improved throughout 2024.

"The Scottish Prison Service is continuing to monitor the performance of the contract carefully to ensure we see a level of service which meets the needs of prisons, prisoners, and the wider justice sector."