UNDER-FIRE prison transport firm GeoAmey hopes to win a new eight-year deal despite repeated failings over its £240million contract.
Jail chiefs are inviting bids for a revamped escort deal after the outsourcer was blasted for bringing chaos to the justice system with thousands of late arrivals and “unacceptable” issues.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is seeking “competent” firms when the deal runs out in January 2027.
GeoAmey told the Record it hopes to throw its hat in the ring. But Scotland's prison warders’ union said the firm is still not managing to fulfil its current contract.
John Cairney, chair of the The Prison Officers’ Association's Scottish committee, said: “The contract has never been fulfilled in 20-plus years it’s been in the private sector. The SPS allocate staff to resolve the failing service.
“The impact is staggering. Instead of prison officers working with prisoners to address offending, they sit in courts, hospital corridors, at funerals. The public is not getting value for money, it’s being spent twice over as the private company cannnot fulfil its contract.”
“Our members’ health and safety is being put at risk. The contract should be brought back in house and staffing increased to support this.”
GeoAmey was sole bidder for its eight-year £238million deal in 2018. But serious staff shortages led to delays in criminal trials and hearings, with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Law Society of Scotland slating the firm.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742004687/articles/3vfDGJmwH6nKHhG3dSsys/6469611116.jpg]
In August, fig...
Jail chiefs are inviting bids for a revamped escort deal after the outsourcer was blasted for bringing chaos to the justice system with thousands of late arrivals and “unacceptable” issues.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is seeking “competent” firms when the deal runs out in January 2027.
GeoAmey told the Record it hopes to throw its hat in the ring. But Scotland's prison warders’ union said the firm is still not managing to fulfil its current contract.
John Cairney, chair of the The Prison Officers’ Association's Scottish committee, said: “The contract has never been fulfilled in 20-plus years it’s been in the private sector. The SPS allocate staff to resolve the failing service.
“The impact is staggering. Instead of prison officers working with prisoners to address offending, they sit in courts, hospital corridors, at funerals. The public is not getting value for money, it’s being spent twice over as the private company cannnot fulfil its contract.”
“Our members’ health and safety is being put at risk. The contract should be brought back in house and staffing increased to support this.”
GeoAmey was sole bidder for its eight-year £238million deal in 2018. But serious staff shortages led to delays in criminal trials and hearings, with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Law Society of Scotland slating the firm.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742004687/articles/3vfDGJmwH6nKHhG3dSsys/6469611116.jpg]
In August, fig...
You're reading a preview of
Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 15, 2025