Cause for concern

Prison system facing 'considerable risk' with £240m transport service 25% understaffed

SCOTLAND’S prison system is facing “considerable risks” with a £240 million transport service that is 25 per cent understaffed. 

The publics pending watchdog is the latest body to criticise the performance of Scottish Prison Service out sourcer GEOAmey, which is responsible for moving inmates.

An Audit Scotland report also found that only 62 per cent of prisoners due in court arrived back on time between July and September this year.

Only 65 per cent of transfers to hospitals, police identification parades or special escorted leave, met the deadline.

The criticism comes just weeks after the Record told how The Prison Officers’ Association had slammed the firm for its “second-rate” performance, saying prison service staff were repeatedly stepping in to “pick up the slack”.