Ministerial Accountability Board: progress report - March 2026
Information collected for the March meeting of the MAB reporting on the progress made towards the completion of the various recommendations and commitments being monitored by the board. It is based on information from Scottish Government, NHS Forth Valley and the Scottish Prison Service.
2. Summary of Progress
This report shows that 12 recommendations are considered ‘completed’ by the Action Owner. These include the removal of bunk beds from areas in which young people are accommodated in HMP & YOI Polmont (Recommendation 1); the removal of identified door stops (Recommendation 2); implementation of a 24 hour concern line (Recommendation 9); sharing of mental health referrals (Recommendation 12); training on accurate record keeping (Recommendation 13); heightened observations for young people during their first 72 hours in prison custody (Recommendation 14(i)); revision of the Death in Prison Learning and Audit Reviews (DIPLAR) process to ensure physical environment is considered (Recommendation 15/2 JM); the appointment of independent DIPLAR Chairs (Action 1); a review of bedding (Recommendation 6); active patrolling guidance (Recommendation 7 JM); and the independent review of the FAI process (Action 3).
In addition to the completed recommendations, there are 7 rated as Green, 20 rated as Amber-Green and 4 rated as Amber-Red. At the time of reporting, none of the recommendations are rated Red or unachievable.
Since February, there have been significant developments which have resulted in changes to the delivery confidence RAG ratings for the following recommendations.
- Recommendation 14(i) has moved from Amber-Green to Blue, reflecting the implementation of a process whereby SPS undertake heightened observations on young people during their first 72 hours in custody.
- Recommendation 4 relating to piloting signs of life technology has moved from Amber-Green to Green. This is to reflect the completion of the first phase of the pilot and a written report being provided to Ministers. Phase 2 of the pilot is now being progressed involving live operational testing.
- Action 7 relating to Family Advocacy has moved from Amber-Green to Green, reflecting progress in procurement for delivering this service.
- Action 4 relating to the lifting of Crown Immunity has moved from Amber-Red to Amber-Green to reflect progress in engagement with UK Government officials.
- Action 5 around the establishment of a National Oversight Mechanism (NOM) has moved from Amber-Red to Amber-Green. This reflects the agreed approach to deliver an initial ‘test of change’ model in prison custody settings only, using an existing public body.