To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is implementing to protect prison staff and their families from intimidation, coercion and corrupting influences by serious organised crime groups.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government and has responsibility for operation of prisons including staffing.
The safety of all those who live and work in Scotland’s prisons is a key priority for SPS and this government.
SPS has a range of measures in place to support the safety of people working in prisons. These include robust recruitment and vetting processes, close partnership working with Police Scotland, mandatory professional boundaries training for all Prison Officers and a comprehensive Anti-Corruption Policy. Staff are supported to identify and report concerns through confidential reporting processes, with all concerns thoroughly investigated.
SPS is also introducing Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVCs), with implementation currently being rolled out across all establishments. The use of BWVCs will help enhance the safe and secure running of prisons across the estate, supporting both staff safety and any criminal investigations where appropriate.