Source · SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)

Scottish Prison Service

SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) Not Upheld Reference 201101383 Sector Prisons Category Progression Decided 01 November 2011

View Scottish Prison Service scorecard

Full decision

Summary

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained about the delay in the prison progressing his application for the Open Estate. Mr C said he felt his application was being treated differently from other prisoners because other prisoners had been progressed more quickly than him.

In responding to Mr C's complaint, the prison told Mr C that they had requested information from the Police to help inform their decision about whether he was suitable for a move to open conditions. The prison said the Police had not provided the information and they would continue to pursue the matter.

Our enquiries on Mr C's complaint confirmed that the prison had processed his application in line with the proper process and that the delay in receiving information from the Police was outwith the prison's control. Therefore, we did not uphold Mr C's complaint. At the same time as making our enquiries, the Police provided the requested information and the prison were able to progress Mr C's application in line with the normal process.

Related reading

View Decision Report 201101383 as a PDF (13.76 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018

View original on SPSO (Scottish Publ… website

Other decisions involving Scottish Prison Service

Reference Date Summary Outcome
202412046 01 Feb 2026 C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to follow the appropriate procedure after they removed C from association … Upheld
202401074 01 Nov 2025 C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that they had prompt access … Upheld
202303295 01 Mar 2025 C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to appropriately investigate their lost property claim. C submitted a claim … Upheld
202006807 01 Sep 2022 C complained about the handing of their Internal Case Management (ICM) case conference. C was unhappy that the Scottish Prison … Partly Upheld
202001300 01 Sep 2022 Ms C provided her express consent for her pronouns to be used for this publication. Ms C complained about matters … Partly Upheld
View all decisions for this organisation