SPS Headquarters

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government and was first established in April 1993. Its Headquarters are located at the Gyle on the outer west perimeter of the city of Edinburgh. The SPS Framework Document sets out the policy and resources framework set by Scottish Ministers within which the SPS operates. As an Executive Agency, the SPS is funded by the Scottish Government.

The SPS is responsible for those who are committed to its care by the Courts and is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the delivery of custodial care in accord with The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011.

SPS’ principal objective is to contribute to making Scotland Safer and Stronger. It has a duty to protect the public by keeping those who have been sentenced in safe and secure custody. The commitment to public safety is delivered through constructive engagement with those in custodial care, focusing on recovery and reintegration.

As at 31 January 2020, 13 prisons were directly operated by the SPS and a further two were run by private sector operators under contract to the SPS.

SPS directly employs around 4,500 staff and on a daily basis accommodates over 8000 individuals in custodial care.

SPS also manages the contract for the Scottish Court Custody and Prisoner Escorting Service (SCCPES), on behalf of multi-agency justice partners, for the provision of safe and secure transport of those in custody to and from courts.