COVID-19 Information Hub
FAMILY HELPLINE: 0131 330 3888
The safety and wellbeing of those living and working in our prisons is a priority for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). We are working with the Scottish Government, Health Protection Scotland, our NHS colleagues and a range of other partners on a daily basis to manage the unprecedented challenges we are all now facing.
The SPS has robust pandemic plans in place which are implemented on a phased basis in response to escalation demands. We continue to follow public health advice, which means that anyone in our care who displays symptoms of the virus will be asked to self-isolate, as well as those how may have been in contact with that individual.
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF VISITS AT HMP LOW MOSS
Due to current COVID restrictions, visits to Clyde 2 Level 2 at HMP Low Moss have been suspended. If you are affected by this, please contact Low Moss prison on 0141 762 9500.
As a precautionary measure, and on the advice of health professionals, those residing in Clyde Hall Level 2 are being isolated, with the hall operating a restricted regime. These individuals are not presenting with symptoms and continue to have access to activities, recreation and exercise. Unfortunately, due to the need to isolate, they will not be to have visits at the moment.
SUSPENSION OF PHYSICAL VISITS AT HMP GRAMPIAN
Please note that due to local lockdown measures in Aberdeen City Local Authority, physical visits at HMP Grampian are now suspended until further notice.
RESUMPTION OF PHYSICAL VISITS
It’s been 17 weeks since we made the difficult decision to suspend physical visits and, since then, we have been working on ways in which we can support and maintain family contact. We are happy to announce that physical visits across the entire prison estate will be available by Monday 3 August 2020.
In planning for this, our key consideration has been to ensure that the changes we make are appropriate and safe.
We know that you will be anxious to see your loved ones in person again. However, the threat of the virus has not gone away, so visits cannot simply return to ‘normal’.
We continue to follow the current guidance from Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland, and, in order to keep us all safe, will be implementing some changes to visits, including the number of people who can visit. These will be kept under review as we move forward.
We understand that you will have a number of questions regarding how visits will operate in practice and the Q&A below is designed to help. Information sheets for individual establishments detailing visits times and booking processes are also below.
Resumption of Visits Q&A
HMP Addiewell Visits Information July 2020
HMP Barlinnie Visits Information July 2020
HMP & YOI Cornton Vale Visits Information July 2020
HMP Dumfries Visits Information July 2020
HMP Edinburgh Visits Information July 2020
HMP Glenochil Visits Information July 2020
HMP & YOI Grampian Visits Information July 2020
HMP Greenock Visits Information July 2020
HMP Inverness Visits Information July 2020
HMP Kilmarnock Visits Information July 2020
HMP Low Moss Visits Information July 2020
HMP Open Estate, Castle Huntly Visits Information July 2020
HMP Perth Visits Information July 2020
HMP Polmont Visits Information July 2020
HMP Shotts Visits Information July 2020
PUBLICATION OF SPS' COVID 19 ROUTE MAP
The SPS is pleased to publish our COVID 19 Route Map which is guided by the Scottish Government's own plan. This plan represents a series of connected, and carefully controlled steps which will be taken to ensure that SPS can move forward, whilst acknowledging the measures we will have to continue to take, such as physical distancing and handwashing to help prevent the spread of the virus or further outbreaks occurring. The SPS will continue to be subject to scrutiny by the independent Inspectorate of Prisons in Scotland and to be accountable to Parliament.
The plan, and underpinning Physical Distancing guidance, focus on the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 and from Phase 2 to Phase 3.
Our organisational progress and establishment regime development is premised on:
a) having the appropriate level of staff resource available to safely make these changes for all who live, work and visit our prison estate; and
b) having a full suite of health and safety assessments which underpin safe working.
Based on this approach, it may be the case that the SPS will have to move at a different pace from wider society. We will provide more detailed guidance around key dates and what they mean in due course. Please note that the Route Map is a dynamic docuemtn subject to flex dependent upon changes in guidance and advice.
SPS COVID 19 ROUTE MAP
SPS COVID ROUTE MAP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PHYSICAL DISTANCING GUIDANCE
PUBLICATION OF DATA
Early Release Data
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 provides new powers for the early release of a specific class of prisoners held in Scottish prisons. Our Early Release Tranche 1, 2 & 3 Reports are available via the links below.
ER Tranche 1 Report
ER Tranche 1 Report Tables (Excel)
ER Tranche 2 Report
ER Tranche 2 Report - Tables
ER Tranche 3 Report
ER Tranche 3 Report - Tables (Excel)
COVID Daily Update
As at 12/08/20, there are currently 13 individuals who are self-isolating across 8 establishments, with no confirmed cases of COVID amongst those in our care.
2 members of staff At HMP Low Moss have tested positive for COVID 19. As a precautionary measure, and on the advice of health professionals, those residing in Clyde Hall Level 2 are being isolated, with the hall operating a restricted regime. These individuals are not presenting with symptoms and continue to have access to activities, recreation and exercise. Unfortunately, due to the need to isolate, they will not be able to have visits at this time.
COVID Weekly Update
Friday 7 August 2020, Prison Population 7297
There were 10 individuals who were self-isolating in 10 different establishments. There were no confirmed cases of COVID across the estate.
Establishment
|
Number of individuals self-isolating*
|
Number of confirmed cases*
|
HMP Addiewell
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Barlinnie
|
0
|
0
|
HMP& YOI Cornton Vale
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Dumfries
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Edinburgh
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Glenochil
|
0
|
0
|
HMP & YOI Grampian
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Greenock
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Inverness
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Kilmarnock
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Low Moss
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Open Estate
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Perth
|
0
|
0
|
HMP & YOI Polmont
|
0
|
0
|
HMP Shotts
|
0
|
0
|
TOTAL
|
10
|
0
|
*It is not possible to provide a breakdown per establishment as this may lead to the identification of individuals.
Weekly staff absence update
On Friday 7 August 2020, there were 420 members of staff absent across the SPS. This represents 9.4% of the total workforce.
In total 56 staff, 1.3% of the total workforce, are currently absent from their work specifically due to reasons related COVID-19. This includes those who are symptomatic, self-isolating, shielding or caring for family members.
4 of these staff, 0.1% of the total workforce, are reporting to be symptomatic. There has been 1 confirmed positive case of COVID for a member of staff.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COVID-19 is impacting on all areas of life including those we care for in prisons and their families, our staff, partners and visitors. We have compiled answers to frequently asked questions which we hope you will find useful. Please click on the link below. These will be regularly updated to reflect the current situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (August 2020)
INFORMATION FOR SUPPLIERS AND CONTACTORS
Any contractor, supplier or external partner carrying out essential work within, or delivering essential supplies to, our establishments shall, in terms of their health and safety relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, be safeguarded on an equal basis as SPS employees.
The SPS is applying the same social distancing principles that you will find in any public environment, as advised and guided by Health Protection Scotland.
The guidance document below has been produced to provide important information and advice for non-SPS staff entering our establishments.
COVID - Guidance for Suppliers-Contractors v2