David Linden

Answer · Neil Gray · 17 Jul 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The following table provides the number of people aged 65 and over who have been in prison custody in each full financial year between 2014-15 to 2025-26, this includes those who turned 65 whilst in custody.Due to changes in data recording capabilities, we are unable to filter this data accurately to provide the figure of those over 65 on remand.Financial YearTotal people in custody aged 65 and over*2014-152292015-162482016-172932017-183072018-193362019-203302020-213142021-223532022-233722023-243942024-254372025-26474* It should be noted that the data included presents the number of individuals, rather than periods in custody. If a period in custody extends over 31 March to 1 April, they will be counted in both years.

Answer · Neil Gray · 17 Jul 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:As part of our commitment to rehabilitation and purposeful use of time SPS provide individuals in custody with access to meaningful activity, including work and education opportunities.Although we do not collect data on the number of untried prisoners who choose not to attend work or education activities, both the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules) and The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011, provide guidance regarding access to work and rehabilitation activities; the latter noting that both civil and/or untried prisoners are not required to work, but may choose to participate if they wish.

Answer · Neil Gray · 17 Jul 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS hold our serving staff and prospective staff to the highest of standards. While the vast majority of our staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct, SPS continues to be vigilant to any potential misconduct concerns within our establishments. Maintaining the safety and security of Scotland’s prisons is and will remain an absolute priority.The number of SPS staff who were subject to a gross misconduct investigation for each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025-26 is set out in the following table:YearNumber of Prison Officers employed by SPSNumber of New Gross Misconduct InvestigationsNumber of Investigations as a percentage of Prison Officers2015-163361411.2%2016-173370501.5%2017-183342341.0%2018-193294501.5%2019-203242431.3%2020-213302371.1%2021-223381531.6%2022-233331581.7%2023-243420611.9%2024-253784641.7%2025-263804752.0%

Answer · Neil Gray · 17 Jul 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS are acutely aware of the threat presented to all contraband entering our establishments and we continue to prioritise the health and wellbeing of those both living and working in our prisons.Technological and tactical measures such as intelligence led interventions, trace detection equipment and strengthened window grilles form part of a compendium of options that can be utilised to mitigate identified threats.SPS will continue to work closely with Police Scotland and other partners across the UK and Europe to share best practice and learning to prevent illicit items including alcohol, drugs, weapons and mobile phones from entering our prisons.

Answer · Neil Gray · 21 Jul 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The numbers of prison officers employed by SPS at the end of each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025-26 are set out in the following table:YearNumber of Prison Officers employed by SPS2015-1633612016-1733702017-1833422018-1932942019-2032422020-2133022021-2233812022-2333312023-2434202024-2537842025-263804

Answer · Neil Gray · 17 Jul 2026

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS hold our serving staff and prospective staff to the highest of standards. While the vast majority of our staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct, SPS continues to be vigilant to any potential corruption concerns within our establishments. Maintaining the safety and security of Scotland’s prisons is and will remain an absolute priority.The number of SPS staff who were subject to a gross misconduct investigation, had a sanction imposed, or were dismissed for inappropriate relationships with persons in our care for each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025-26 is set out in the following table:YearGross Misconduct InvestigationsSanction Imposed (not including dismissal)Dismissal2015-160002016-173022017-180002018-192002019-200002020-212022021-221002022-231012023-245202024-250002025-26201Total1626

Answer · Neil Gray · 22 Jul 2026

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) operates a Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-2026 which sets out its approach to supporting care-experienced individuals, including care leavers, within custody.SPS collects information on care leaver status for individuals aged under 26 at the point of admission, based on self-reporting. As disclosure is voluntary, individuals may choose not to provide this information or may provide inaccurate details. As a result, the figures recorded are likely to underestimate the true number of care-experienced individuals within the remand population.As of 25 June 2026, there were 52 individuals on remand who have reported being care-experienced, and 8 individuals on remand who have historic care-experienced markers. As the remand population changes on a daily basis, this will impact upon the numbers of those in our care on remand who are care-experienced.