Prison Service
Scottish Parliament Written answers, 3 November 2009
Richard Baker (Labour) | Question S3W-28160
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the comments of John Speed of the Prison Officers Association to the Justice Committee on 6 October 2009 concerning a reduction in frontline prison staff that he stated has a massive impact on the health and safety of prison officers; whether it intends to take action and, if so, what action ( Official Report c. 2285).
Kenny MacAskill (Scottish National Party)
I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:
The written evidence subsequently sent to the committee by Mr Speed on 19 October 2009, clarified that the concerns referred to by Mr Speed in his oral evidence related to future staffing levels and confirmed that current staffing levels have been agreed between SPS and its recognised trade unions. Any requirement for further reductions in staffing will be discussed between SPS and the recognised trade unions, and will be subject to rigorous health and safety risk assessments conducted by local management and trade union representatives.