To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16511 by Cathy Jamieson on 23 May 2005, whether its agreement with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd regarding the monthly performance summary of the contract for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services is available in writing and, if so, whether it will provide the full written terms of that agreement and why it did not provide this information in the answer to question S2W-16511.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The answer to the previous question gave information on what information could be released as agreed with Reliance. A full copy of the written agreement is as follows:

Monthly Reliance Custodial Services (RCS) Performance Report – Headline Definitions

Prisoner Movements

Police Custody to Court

The number of prisoner escorts from police custody to court, but not the return journey, for the calendar month.

Prisons to Court

The number of prisoner escorts from prisons to court, but not the return journey, for the calendar month.

Hospital to Court

The number of prisoner escorts from hospital to court, but not the return journey, for the calendar month.

Court to Court

The number of prisoner escorts from one court to another court, but not the return journey, for the calendar month.

Other

The number of other prisoner escorts which count toward calculation of volume bandings, including non-core escorts, for the calendar month. In this context, return journeys as described above do not count, nor do "walk ins" who are subsequently given a custodial disposal. Inter court transfers are reported separately.

Performance

On Time Delivery to Court

The percentage of prisoners delivered to court on time, as defined by the contract.

Prisoners Unlawfully at Large

The number of performance measures that have been applied against RCS for each incident in that month for prisoners who have been released in error, or escaped or who are unlawfully at large.

Financial

Payment due to Service Provider

The total amount, presented as a single figure, due to RCS based upon the Invoice and Credit note submitted by RCS for that month including any revision(s) to the credit note as a result of the monthly meeting between the Operations Director and the Monitor. The number of pending items (if any) following this meeting they will be highlighted on the Monthly Report.

Scottish Prison Service, 6 August 2004.