Reliance controversy resurfaces
The controversy around the rolling out of prison escort responsibilities in Scotland to the private sector firm Reliance has resurfaced today with the publication of an Audit Scotland report.
Although the report from Audit Scotland finds that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) followed correct procedures in awarding and monitoring the contract, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has seized on the report to brand the Reliance contract a “mismanaged farce”.
The SNP have been strident critics of the company, and of the role of Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson, after a number of high profile scandals in which prisoners from the Glasgow court system were released in error.
The Reliance contract is worth £126 million over seven years.
Today’s Audit Scotland report was commissioned by the Justice Minister to look at the procurement of the contract after widespread public concern.
It found that Reliance was the cheapest on cost of all the tenders, but was rated bottom of the three final bidders on a technical assessment, but the SPS assessed it to represent the best value for money.
Auditor General Robert Black, said: “As the contract has not yet been fully rolled out across Scotland, it is too early to assess Reliance’s overall performance. However there are signs that, after an uncertain start, measures taken by Reliance and the prison service itself are helping to improve performance.”
Responding to the report, the Justice Minister, said: “Given public concerns about the contract, I was keen to bring it to the rigorous independent eyes of the Auditor General to consider for its robustness and value for money. I am pleased therefore that he has concluded that the contract is intrinsically sound and that the contract letting was well handled by SPS.
“The challenge for Reliance is to build on the improved performance identified in the report. The performance of Reliance, SPS and their partner agencies in delivering the new service will continue to be scrutinised – both by auditors and Ministers. As I have continually made clear, further roll-out of the service will only happen after I have received assurances from SPS and others that they and Reliance are ready to deliver the new service in a way which protects public safety.”
Shadow Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill, however, seized on the report, claiming that it revealed there are clear inconsistencies between what the Justice Minister and Reliance have said about the contract, and the facts.
Mr MacAskill said: “This report from the Auditor General proves that the Reliance contract is little more than a mismanaged farce.
“There’s no evidence of savings in police and prison officers’ time which was the reason for it in the first place.
“It is astounding that there is no contingency plan in place, in case the contract goes to the wall. This could result £126 million of public money being lost.
“It also comes as little surprise that the cheapest bidder was used, which has resulted in corners being cut regarding security of prisoners.”
He again reiterated the SNP’s calls for Ms Jamieson to “take responsibility for her actions.”
