Local authorities and social work organisations have responded angrily to a decision by the Scottish Prison Service to privatise social work services to some prisons.

Without any consultation or publicity, the Scottish Prison Service has invited tenders for the provision of social work services to four Scottish prisons - Edinburgh, Glenochil, Dumfries and Polmont.

These facilities are funded by the prison service, but provided by local authorities and managed by social work departments.

Jim Dickie, director of social work for North Lanarkshire Council and criminal justice adviser to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, revealed that there had been no consultation over this move and said: "We picked up rumours of the development early in April and have yet to receive a full explanation."

Norman Murray, president of CoSLA wrote to the prison service raising his concerns, but was advised that social work service to prisons was "an operational matter" and not for discussion.

Further correspondence has received the answer that it is "a pilot to explore Best Value". Dickie said: "We are left quite bewildered by the prison service's reasons."

In the meantime, all mainland local authorities, key voluntary organisations and the independent sector have been invited to express interest in providing the service by next week.

The speed of the move together with the lack of consultation means that none of the social work staff employed in prisons are aware that their employers may change or their jobs are at risk.

This week, CoSLA will meet justice minister Jim Wallace to discuss the Scottish executive's strategy on criminal justice.

Dickie said: "Ironically, the meeting was arranged to discuss plans for joined up criminal justice services across Scotland, yet the prison service seems to believe that social work in prisons is beyond political overview. We will be raising this issue with the minister."

The Scottish Prison Service commented that the move was part of a Best Value process.