Prison complaints

Request data on complaints from prisoners by category and outcome.

Prisoners have the right to make complaints about their treatment and conditions. The figures show what prisoners are complaining about and whether complaints are being resolved.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of complaints received from prisoners across all establishments, or at [NAMED PRISON]. 2. A breakdown of complaints by category (e.g. healthcare, conditions, staff conduct, regime, transfers). 3. The number of complaints upheld, partially upheld, and not upheld. 4. The average time taken to respond to complaints. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

The Scottish Prison Service. Find their contact details on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland publishes inspection reports for individual prisons that include data on complaints. Check their website before submitting your request.
  • If you want data for a specific prison, name it in the request. If you want a national picture, ask for data across all establishments.
  • The Scottish Information Commissioner has ordered disclosure of prison-related information in several cases, particularly around conditions, complaints, and use of segregation.