Scotland’s next prisoner escort contract has been awarded to Mitie Care & Custody Ltd (MCCL) following a comprehensive and competitive procurement process.

The new Justice Partners Escort and Court Custody Scotland (JPECCS) will come into effect on 23 January 2027.

This will give MCCL a year to plan for a smooth and successful transition from GEOAmey, the current provider.

The terms of the new contract have been agreed by key justice partners – the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), Police Scotland, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), and Scottish Government – with SPS leading on the procurement process.

The new and improved contract places care and welfare, continuous improvement in performance, and value for money, at its heart.

In particular, it will:

  • Ensure people are transported in a safe, secure, and dignified way, with a rights-based approach embedded in the system.
  • Deliver continuous improvements in excellence, efficiency, and performance.
  • Drive digital transformation and innovation to improve operational planning with real-time decision making and a future proofed level of service.
  • Build a skilled and resilient workforce with a culture of professionalism, continuous learning, and a focus on staff wellbeing.
  • Support Net Zero ambitions by integrating low emission fleet solutions.
  • Strengthen collaboration and engagement across justice sector partners to ensure the service meets the needs of all. 

In designing the technical and commercial specification, SPS took learning from HMIPS “Planned Failure” thematic review from December 2024, and the Public Audit Committee report published in June 2024.

MCCL was successful in a competitive procurement process which evaluated a number of key aspects of the service including prisoner care and welfare, security and good order, effective and efficient running of services, and continuous improvement.

MCCL comes with a proven track record, having successfully delivered a large number of comparable services.

The planned fleet comprises 133 vehicles, including and one high-security, ballistically protected escort vehicle, and all will be designed with a strong emphasis on welfare, security, and operational efficiency.

Staff will wear body worn cameras (BWCs) and the vehicles will be fitted with real-time trackers, live-stream CCTV cameras, and duress alarms.

Sensory internal lighting will promote a calm and safe environment to reduce stress and anxiety, with handrails to support prisoners with restricted mobility.