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Coronavirus: Almost a quarter of Scottish prison staff absent from work Coronavirus: Almost a quarter of Scottish prison staff absent from work
(about 11 hours later)
Almost a quarter of Scottish Prison Service (SPS) staff are currently absent from work amid the coronavirus outbreak, BBC Scotland has learned.Almost a quarter of Scottish Prison Service (SPS) staff are currently absent from work amid the coronavirus outbreak, BBC Scotland has learned.
The Prison Officers' Association Scotland (POA) said the figures were "enormous" and putting a major strain on the overall operation.The Prison Officers' Association Scotland (POA) said the figures were "enormous" and putting a major strain on the overall operation.
The SPS said it was working with the government and other organisations to manage the "unprecedented challenges".The SPS said it was working with the government and other organisations to manage the "unprecedented challenges".
It has suspended some activities to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.It has suspended some activities to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
The Scottish government has been approached for comment. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the figures were alarming and the emergency release of short term prisoners may help.
On Monday, the SPS said 110 prisoners over 11 sites were self-isolating. At that time, two had tested positive for Covid-19.On Monday, the SPS said 110 prisoners over 11 sites were self-isolating. At that time, two had tested positive for Covid-19.
More than 4,000 people are currently employed by the SPS.More than 4,000 people are currently employed by the SPS.
It is understood the absences include staff on maternity leave and those on usual sick leave.It is understood the absences include staff on maternity leave and those on usual sick leave.
Phil Fairlie, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association in Scotland, said: "Staffing levels have been dramatically reduced. Large numbers of staff are self-isolating. We have an enormous number of staff who are not available to attend the prison on a day-to-day basis.Phil Fairlie, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association in Scotland, said: "Staffing levels have been dramatically reduced. Large numbers of staff are self-isolating. We have an enormous number of staff who are not available to attend the prison on a day-to-day basis.
"It is having a significant impact in terms of what we are able to do."It is having a significant impact in terms of what we are able to do.
"I think we are getting close to about 25% of the staff being unavailable in any given day. We are moving to a single day shift next week to try and accommodate the delivery of the regime"."I think we are getting close to about 25% of the staff being unavailable in any given day. We are moving to a single day shift next week to try and accommodate the delivery of the regime".
'Unprecedented challenges''Unprecedented challenges'
It has emerged that Holyrood's justice committee has written to both the justice secretary and the SPS, raising the concerns of three officers at three different sites.It has emerged that Holyrood's justice committee has written to both the justice secretary and the SPS, raising the concerns of three officers at three different sites.
They point to the lack of availability of PPE for staff and concerns about staff shortages. One officer also says a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19.They point to the lack of availability of PPE for staff and concerns about staff shortages. One officer also says a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Yousaf told BBC Scotland: "This is very actively being looked at. We are looking at the numbers, particularly short term prisoners that have been given a sentence of a year or less and are in the last three months of their sentence."
Asked if the military may be asked to help, he replied: "I do not envisage the army or soldiers having to step into our prisons."
Prison officers' concernsPrison officers' concerns
Officer AOfficer A
Officer BOfficer B
Officer COfficer C
Virus spreadingVirus spreading
A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said the safety and wellbeing of those living and working in its prisons was a priority.A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said the safety and wellbeing of those living and working in its prisons was a priority.
She said: "Covid-19 is impacting across all public services, including the prison system and the SPS has been considering all necessary steps which we could take to reduce the risk of the virus spreading."She said: "Covid-19 is impacting across all public services, including the prison system and the SPS has been considering all necessary steps which we could take to reduce the risk of the virus spreading."
The spokeswoman said the SPS had temporarily suspended a significant number of activities, including all non-essential work, and had stopped communal dining, large group physical activity in prison gyms and education provision.The spokeswoman said the SPS had temporarily suspended a significant number of activities, including all non-essential work, and had stopped communal dining, large group physical activity in prison gyms and education provision.
She also said the SPS had secured a sufficient supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) and was actively working to increase its supplies.She also said the SPS had secured a sufficient supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) and was actively working to increase its supplies.
The slowing down of court business was already having an impact on reducing prison populations, she said.The slowing down of court business was already having an impact on reducing prison populations, she said.
Mr Fairlie, from the POA, earlier told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that more testing of prisoner officers should be carried out and that the introduction of early release for prisoners would be a big step forward.Mr Fairlie, from the POA, earlier told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that more testing of prisoner officers should be carried out and that the introduction of early release for prisoners would be a big step forward.
"It will create the opportunity to do social distancing a lot better," he said. "It will allow us to consider single-cell accommodation for the whole of the prisoner groups - that in itself would be a really welcome step in terms of controlling the virus.""It will create the opportunity to do social distancing a lot better," he said. "It will allow us to consider single-cell accommodation for the whole of the prisoner groups - that in itself would be a really welcome step in terms of controlling the virus."