A first in Scotland - over 1 million prisoners transported

In October 2003, Reliance was appointed by the Scottish Executive to be the first private sector organisation to provide prisoner escorting services across the whole of Scotland including the Scottish Islands.

Transfer of the contract from the public sector involved employing of 500 staff, the mobilisation of a fleet of specialist vehicles and a sophisticated control centre all of which were delivered to time, specification and budget to ensure full delivery from day one of the contract.

Reliance has a detailed knowledge of the criminal justice sector and the processes involved in the criminal justice system in Scotland. The contract involved a range of services including secure transport to and from over 120 courts, 78 police stations, 16 prisons and 56 health institutions. Reliance managed and delivered a range of other transportation for prisoner including visits to hospitals and other emergencies and welfare requirements, providing not only transport but guarding and welfare of prisoners throughout their visits.

Reliance employed over 700 staff including support staff making over 264,379 journeys a year and have moved over one million prisoners since the contract began. This requires a significant logistical capability. Reliance’s sophisticated information management systems and processes and our control centre expertise ensured that the right people got to the right place at the right time every day. 

Reliance staff managed the custody of prisoners in all courts across the Scottish Mainland, Islands and including Glasgow Sheriffs Court - one of the busiest courts in Europe.

Our staff worked alongside other partner agencies within the criminal justice system and our court custody expertise also ensured that prisoners are managed securely, safely and with care whilst in court. .