Source · SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)

Scottish Prison Service

SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) Not Upheld Reference 201205354 Sector Prisons Category progression Decided 01 August 2013

View Scottish Prison Service scorecard

Full decision

Summary

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that there was an unreasonable delay in the risk management team (RMT) identifying that he should participate in further group work. Mr C said he had advised previous RMTs that he had an outstanding need, and that his progression to less secure conditions had been approved by an RMT at a different prison despite this.

In investigating Mr C's complaint, we obtained a copy of his most recent RMT referral form. The RMT noted in their decision that new information was discussed and it was agreed that it was not appropriate to progress Mr C at that time. We asked the prison what new information was discussed. The prison confirmed that when Mr C transferred from another prison, his risk assessment was out of date. Because of that, an up-to-date risk assessment was carried out before the RMT considered Mr C for progression. The risk assessment identified him as being a moderate risk of re-offending. In addition, Mr C had previously participated in programme work but the post-programme report noted that he had not had the opportunity to address an element of this, which should be addressed in further treatment. Because of that, the RMT decided they could not support Mr C's progression to less secure conditions until he had addressed his outstanding need.

We noted that an up-to-date risk assessment was completed, and referral to the RMT happened, within eight months of Mr C arriving at the prison. Because of that, we did not agree that there had been an unreasonable delay.

Related reading

View Decision Report 201205354 as a PDF (11.38 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