An independent review of the culture of the Scottish Prison Service has highlighted significant strengths, as well as areas for improvement.
The findings of the Culture Review, conducted by Crowe Advisory, will help SPS continue to improve to better meet the needs of staff, people in custody, and the communities it serves.
In particular, the researchers praised the “decent, professional, and committed” people working across the organisation.
They also concluded that “SPS is well positioned to address the current challenges and achieve meaningful, lasting cultural improvement”.
The review was developed through visits to prisons and focus groups, and conversations with staff, people in custody, and partners. It was conducted during a time of significant pressure on the SPS, with the prison population levels reaching a record high, and challenges from Serious and Organised Crime, the threat of illicit substances, and an ageing prison population with ever increasing social care needs.
The review highlighted a number of strengths, including:
• The professionalism, dedication and compassion of our staff.
• Strong peer support and teamwork across establishments and functions.
• A shared commitment to rehabilitation and public service.
• Many examples of innovation and good practice at local level.
It also identified areas for improvement, where SPS is taking action, with further steps planned:
• Inconsistent leadership behaviours and accountability.
• Variability in how our values are experienced across the organisation.
• Communication and openness between different parts of SPS.
• The handling of inappropriate behaviour and confidence in processes.
• Operational pressures undermining progress
Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, said: "I am incredibly proud to lead the Scottish Prison Service and the staff whose professionalism, dedication, and compassion is rightly recognised and praised in this important report.
"The report identifies our many strengths as an organisation, the progress we have already achieved, but also the improvements still needed, which we will continue to work on.
"Significant work is already in progress across SPS that aligns with the many themes and recommendations identified in the Culture Review Report. Much of this activity was initiated already, reflecting an ongoing commitment to build on what makes SPS such a special and important place to work. We are already delivering on these and are committed to continuing to build on this progress in line with our values. This work is focused on all those who work for the SPS, are in our care, or depend upon us to look after their loved ones or help keep their communities safe.
“Finally, thank you to everybody who took part in this review, including our staff, people in custody, and our trade union partners."
Phil Fairlie, Assistant General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association (Scotland), said: “The report identifies some significant areas of great strength within the organisation, not least the staff who work in the frontline in incredibly challenging circumstances.
“Indeed, the timeframe through which the information was gathered to produce the Crowe report meant that the organisation was being observed and measured through a prolonged period of significant challenge and strain right across the service, so some of what has been identified comes as no real surprise.
“However, it also matches up with some of the things our own survey of POA members described about the culture in which they work, and those areas are a worry to us all.
“We are already engaged with the SPS senior leadership, working in partnership with a view to jointly agreeing the priorities, and finding the improvements and solutions together.
“Much as there are areas of real concern identified, there is nothing that cannot be overcome if proper care and energy is given to genuinely addressing them.
“While those areas are significant, we should not lose sight of the very positive findings about the staff in the service who, again, while being tested to the extreme on a daily basis, have left the independent observers of their work talking about them with such positivity and respect.”
Paula Arnold, chair of the Prison Governors’ Association - Scotland, said: “The PGA welcomes the publication of the Crowe Report and recognises the importance of its findings in supporting the continued development of a positive organisational culture across the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).
“The report provides a balanced assessment of SPS, acknowledging the professionalism, commitment and dedication demonstrated by staff throughout the organisation, while also identifying areas requiring further improvement, including leadership, trust, accountability and staff wellbeing.
“The findings closely align with those of the Culture, Development and Impact on Wellbeing: Lived Experiences of Prison Leaders in Scotland report, commissioned by the PGA and undertaken by the University of Lincoln.”
Crowe Advisory highlighted SPS staff’s continuing commitment to rehabilitation in its report, noting that they work hard to support people on their personal journeys, reduce the risk of reoffending, and help to build safer communities for all.
Its report concluded: “While this review highlights several serious issues requiring focused and sustained action, it is important to recognise the significant strengths which we have identified across the Scottish Prison Service.
“Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to rehabilitation, uphold high standards of integrity, and generally maintain positive and compassionate relationships with those in custody.
“During our visits, we met over 700 staff, the majority of whom came across as being decent, professional, and committed to improving the lives and prospects of those in custody.
“Many establishments show good levels of teamwork, operational cohesion and locally driven innovation. These positive elements form a solid foundation on which to build.
“With clear leadership, improved accountability and a coherent long-term plan, we believe that the SPS is well positioned to address the current challenges and achieve meaningful, lasting cultural improvement.”