GEOAmey, the prisoner escort service has said that it will be able to properly resource the courts from spring 2024.

Highlands and Islands Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess told the Cabinet Secretary that:

“GEOAmey’s on-going poor performance is resulting in delays and inefficiencies across the justice sector, which impact on policing, prison services and the courts.”

And she continued ” It now requires direct funding from the Government. In the light of that, will the Government confirm that there is no question of extending GEOAmey’s contract for a further four years, as would be permitted, and that its record will be taken into consideration during future bids for lucrative Government contracts?”

Orkney Constituency, LibDem MSP Liam McArthur also raised his concerns over GEOAmey. He welcomed the announcement that Jury Trials will resume in Spring but wanted assurances that ” rural and island courts are not seen as the expendable end of the justice system?”

Angela Constance said that there were ‘promising signs’, ” there has been an increase by 40 in the number of police custody officers in the past three months, a number of officers are currently in training and staff attrition is down by 40 per cent. “

But she added:

“Nonetheless, we must closely monitor the situation. The point that Mr McArthur makes about the Highlands and island communities is well made. There have been particular issues in rural Scotland and in other areas of Scotland that we are focused on.”

Speaking after the session in the Scottish Parliament, 10th January 2024, Liam McArthur said:

“It should never have come to this and has taken too long to resolve, but I welcome the prospect of jury trials returning to Kirkwall Sheriff Court and other courts across the region.

“While the Justice Secretary was able to point to positive indicators in relation to staffing and prison transport, the failures of GEOAmey cannot be allowed to undermine local access to justice for islanders like this in future.

“The Scottish Government must now take stock and ensure future contracts protect the interests of all those engaging with our justice system, wherever they might live.”