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Publication - Progress report

Ministerial Accountability Board: progress report - March 2026

Published
20 March 2026
From
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order
ISBN
9781807750541

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.

Part of

View supporting documents Supporting documents

8. Theme: Bullying Prevention and Response

Recommendation 10 (Katie & William FAI): SPS should introduce a system so as to ensure that where intelligence information is received suggesting that a young prisoner has been or is being bullied it is promptly and proactively shared with the relevant SPS staff.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. The RAG rating has been Green for each month, June, September, December, February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • Working group established by SPS to develop new bullying prevention strategy, made up of individuals with operational expertise and third-sector insight.
    • Thematic analysis completed, drawing on user-voice led qualitative research, a literature review, and a staff survey. This work identified systemic, cultural, and operational barriers that impacted the effectiveness of the previous ‘Think Twice’ approach.
    • Three-phase approach to new anti-bullying strategy outlined: the first phase will focus on an approach specifically tailored to young people; the second phase will be for adult females; and the third phase for adult males.
  • Ongoing:
    • Finalise and approve bullying prevention strategy.
    • Implementation pathway for phase 1 (young people) to be piloted in HMP & YOI Polmont in early 2026.
    • Commission and complete research into adult cohorts to support development of tailored approaches for adult females and adult males (phases 2 and 3).

Recommendation 7 (Jack McKenzie FAI): Review active patrolling guidance to address anti-social behaviour at night.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. This recommendation was not tracked in June and subsequent RAGS were Green in September and December and Blue in February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • Review completed by SPS of relevant Standard Operating Procedures and training provided across all prisons in their estate, with a focus on instructions given to patrol and night shift staff.
    • Engagement with stakeholders, including young people and SPS staff, to gather user-voice input.
    • Analysis of available information completed. Report submitted to Ministers in November 2025 outlining findings.
  • Ongoing:
    • Evidence-based improvements to be implemented around strengthening Standard Operating Procedures, enhancing governance and assurance for information sharing, and providing tailored training.

Contact

Email: oversight.implementation.unit@gov.scot

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