Equality and Diversity

The Equality Review 2007 quotes “An equal society protects and promotes equal, real freedom and substantive opportunity to live in the ways people value and would choose, so that everyone can flourish. An equal society recognises people’s different needs, situations and goals and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be.”

The Scottish Prison Service’s aim or mission statement is:

·        To keep in custody those committed by the courts;

·         To maintain good order in each prison;

·      To care for prisoners with humanity;

·     To provide prisoners with a range of opportunities to exercise personal responsibility and to prepare for release; and

·         To play a full role in the integration of offender management services.

The values of the Scottish Prison Service are:

·         Integrity, frankness and honesty in dealing with people;

·         Fairness and justice, respecting the needs and rights of staff and prisoners;

·         Mutual support, encouraging teamwork and commitment;

·         Caring for the safety and well being of staff and prisoners; and

·         Openness about our aspirations, our successes and our failures, coupled with a willingness to learn.

The Scottish Prison Service is fully committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights. It is everyone’s responsibility to be striving to:

1.    Eliminate discrimination against equalities groups that is unlawful.

2.    Eliminate the harassment of equalities groups.

3.    Promote equality of opportunity for people from different equalities groups.

4.    Promote good relations between and amongst equalities groups and other groups.

5.    Promote positive attitudes towards equalities groups.

6.    Encourage the participation by equalities groups in public life.

7.    Establish steps to take account of individual’s different abilities even where that sometimes involves treating people from equalities groups more favourably than other persons. 

In order to support this commitment SPS have in place schemes, policies, procedures and practices to enable equality, diversity,  inclusion and human rights to be mainstreamed at the core of all our work and be embedded at all levels within the organisation.

Race

Disability

Gender

Sexual Orientation

Religion or Belief

Age

                                                                                                              
SPS carry out equality impact assessments to pre-empt the possibility that a proposed policy or procedure could affect some groups unfavourably as well as a way of systematically assessing, and consulting/involving on, the effects that a policy or procedure will have on an equality target group(s) and then acting appropriately with positive outcomes.  An equality target group is a group that is likely to face discrimination and disadvantage on the basis of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age or any other inappropriate distinction. 

For Impact Assessments ... click here                                                              

GENERAL	SERVICE PROVISION	EMPLOYEE PROVISION
Priscilla Chipo Marongwe Equality and Diversity HR Business Partner Room 120 Calton House 5 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9HW Tel General: 0131 244 8598 Tel Direct: 0131 244 8620 Email:priscilla.marongwe@sps.pnn.gov.uk	David Gatherum Equality and Diversity Manager HRD Policy Branch Room 120 Calton House 5 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9HW Tel Direct: 0131 244 8595 Email:david.gatherum@sps.pnn.gov.uk	Neil Price Equality and Diversity Officer Employment and Reward Team Room 119 Calton House 5 Redheughs Rigg Edinburgh EH12 9HW Tel Direct: 0131 244 8598 Email:neil.price@sps.pnn.gov.uk

Equality, diversity and inclusion information is available in alternative formats to meet your needs e.g. Easy to Read, Large Print, Braille, Audio Tape, or arrangements can be made for an explanation in your language or other formats on request. To enquire about alternative formats contact priscilla.marongwe@sps.pnn.gov.uk or telephone 0131 244 8449.