News

Local authority managed prison social work services in Edinburgh are to be axed in a move towards privatisation, the Scottish Prison Service revealed this week.

The news has been met with widespread opposition amid concerns about work with sex offenders and violent criminals.

Director of social work for Edinburgh City Council Les McEwan said: "This is an essential job that protects public safety. We are at the forefront working with HIV prisoners, drug addicts and sex offenders."

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Association of Directors of Social Work opposed proposals to privatise prison-based social work when they were first put forward last year and criticised SPS for failing to consult them.

The Prison Officers Association Scotland has also raised concerns about services being provided by private agencies, describing the move as being about costs rather than quality.

The move is to be implemented in Edinburgh and Dumfries prisons in the first instance. A SPS spokesperson said: "If it's successful we will extend the service to other jails."