Ministerial Accountability Board: progress report - December 2025
Information collected for the December meeting of the Ministerial Accountability Board 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.
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:
June - Green
September - Green
December - Green
Progress:
- Complete:
- Working group established by SPS made up of individuals with operational expertise and third-sector insight. The group’s purpose is to develop a new anti-bullying strategy.
- 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.
- Ongoing:
- Ongoing work to develop a three-phase anti-bullying strategy. 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 work to develop an implementation pathway for phase 1 (young people). This is expected to be finalised by the end of the year and launched early in 2026. Phases 2 and 3 for adult cohorts will be delivered throughout 2026.
Recommendation 7 (Jack McKenzie FAI): Review active patrolling guidance to address anti-social behaviour at night.
RAG Ratings:
June - Green
September - Green
December - Green
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 prisoners and SPS staff, to gather user-voice input.
- Analysis of available information completed. Findings and options to strengthen the current approach submitted to the Cabinet Secretary in November 2025.
- Ongoing:
- Advice from Ministers will inform next steps.