Key Points
- GEOAmey has been replaced by Mitie as the Scottish Prison Service’s prisoner transport contractor following a series of failings, including a violent rapist escaping custody in Edinburgh.
- The new £415 million contract with Mitie starts on January 27, 2027, and runs until April 2035, involving a fleet of 133 vehicles equipped with real-time trackers, CCTV, and body-worn cameras for staff.
- GEOAmey chose not to bid for the renewed contract amid criticism from inspections and audits.
- Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst stated the new deal builds on inspection recommendations and lessons from past experiences to improve service delivery.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 28, 2026 – GEOAmey, the firm responsible for escorting prisoners across Scotland, has been replaced by Mitie after repeated issues culminated in a high-profile escape in Edinburgh two weeks ago.
The Scottish Prison Service announced the switch, awarding a new eight-year contract worth £415 million to facilities management company Mitie. This follows years of criticism levelled at GEOAmey, including the recent incident where a violent rapist escaped custody during transport. GEOAmey confirmed it opted not to participate in the procurement process.
Why was GEOAmey replaced as Scotland’s prisoner transporter?
According to STV News, GEOAmey faced ongoing scrutiny for operational failings, with the latest escape occurring just two weeks prior to the announcement. The firm had been contracted to transport prisoners to courts, medical appointments, and other destinations using a fleet of vehicles.
As reported by Daily Record, the Scottish Prison Service conducted a robust procurement exercise, selecting Mitie to deliver improved services with enhanced safety features such as live-stream CCTV, duress alarms, and staff body-worn cameras.
What improvements does the new contract promise?
Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst said:
“It is important that, working together, we deliver a prisoner escort contract that meets the needs of those in our care, our justice and health partners, and Scotland as a whole, while also ensuring best value for the public.”
She added confidence that the contract incorporates recommendations from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons in Scotland and the Public Audit Committee, alongside input from those with lived experience.
How will Mitie enhance prisoner transport security?
Mitie will manage 133 vehicles fitted with real-time trackers and advanced monitoring systems. A Mitie spokesperson described the announcement as marking
“the conclusion of a robust and competitive procurement exercise which delivers a new and improved contract offering better value for money for the taxpayer.”
What happens next for Scotland’s prisoner escort services?
The contract takes effect on January 27, 2027, ensuring a transition period for seamless handover. GEOAmey stated it made “the very difficult decision not to participate” in the bidding, paving the way for Mitie to assume responsibility until April 2035. Justice Minister Siobhan Brown welcomed the move, noting it secures essential services while optimising public funds.
This development addresses long-standing concerns over prisoner safety and escort reliability in Scotland’s justice system.
