Prison Chiefs Criticised After Staff Accumulate £7.5m in Overtime Payments
Prison chiefs in Scotland have come under fire from the spending watchdog as staff have amassed a total of £7.5 million in overtime payments. Auditor General Stephen Boyle expressed concerns over the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) system, stating that it is not fit for purpose given the significant increase in ex-gratia payments compared to the previous year. The ex-gratia bill surged by £1.2 million from £6.3 million, with 2,263 employees submitting a total of 21,310 individual claims, receiving an average payout of £3,321 each. Astonishingly, one worker claimed £32,822 on top of their regular wages, equivalent to 72% of their salary.
Ex-gratia is the system operated by the SPS for prison officers who volunteer to work additional hours. Instead of paying an hourly overtime rate, the service offers extra payments to employees for working beyond their contracted hours. HMP Edinburgh topped the list of payouts at £1,097,204, closely followed by Glasgow’s Barlinnie jail at £1,085,535. Introduced in 2004, voluntary ex-gratia payments aim to serve as an alternative to paying overtime for officers exceeding their contracted hours. However, the report reveals that many officers have been working nearly double the legally permitted 48 hours per week due to staffing, recruitment, and overcrowding challenges.
Boyle’s 2023-24 audit report highlighted the risks associated with regularly surpassing permitted working time regulations, including adverse effects on staff health, wellbeing, effectiveness, and the quality of care provided to prisoners. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary, Liam Kerr MSP, raised concerns about the growing staffing crisis in Scottish prisons. Kerr emphasised the importance of overtime for willing staff but stressed that it should not be relied upon to the extent revealed in the report, as it could jeopardise the welfare and safety of officers and potentially compromise security within prisons.
An SPS spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by the service, citing the high and complex prison population as a contributing factor to increased demands on staff. The spokesperson highlighted the dedication of prison officers working under challenging circumstances to support those in their care, often necessitating extra hours. A Scottish Government representative recognised the crucial role of prison officers in working with vulnerable individuals and operating in demanding environments.
In conclusion, the substantial rise in overtime payments within the Scottish Prison Service has prompted concerns about the sustainability of the current system and its implications on staff wellbeing, prisoner care, and overall prison safety.
Summary:
The Scottish Prison Service has faced criticism over a significant increase in overtime payments, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current system. With concerns raised about the impact on staff wellbeing, prisoner care, and overall prison safety, there is a growing need to address the underlying staffing challenges to ensure a sustainable and secure prison environment.