A Scottish prisoner had to spend 16 hours away from their cell for a court appearance in Dumfries that lasted only four minutes, according to a new report highlighting failures in prisoner transport across Scotland. The report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMPIS) pointed out issues with GEOAmey, responsible for prisoner transport, cancelling transportation at short notice, impacting prisoners’ health, wellbeing, and family relationships.
The Planned Failure report highlighted various instances where prisoners missed important appointments and events due to transportation issues. One such case mentioned was a young person leaving a young offenders’ institute near Falkirk, spending hours in transit for a brief court appearance before returning late at night, which the report criticized as inefficient and inhumane in the digital age.
The failures in prisoner transport have led to prisoners missing visits to terminally ill loved ones, wasted NHS resources, and the need to redeploy officers for escort duties. While the report acknowledged some improvement in performance in 2024, it made 25 recommendations to further enhance the Scottish prison system, including prioritizing non-court events for prisoners and implementing a more modern approach to prisoner transport.
Both the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and GEOAmey responded to the report, with the SPS welcoming the progress made in delivering a more effective prisoner transport service and promising to consider the recommendations. GEOAmey acknowledged their historical challenges during the post-Covid period but committed to improving their services and apologizing for any impact on individuals.
Overall, the report sheds light on the human stories behind the failures in prisoner transport and calls for sustained efforts to ensure a more efficient and humane transportation system for prisoners in Scotland. The attention drawn to these issues serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the well-being and rights of individuals within the justice system.