Voices of Prisoners: Experiences Shared with Let’s Be Heard – A Case Study

Published on: February 17, 2025

Page 3 of 9

+ Abbreviations and Key Terms

+ Executive Summary

What is Let's Be Heard? Purpose of this case study Main observations Prisoner views on lessons to be learned Download this Executive Summary as a PDF Download an Easy Read version of this Executive Summary

- 1. Introductions

1.1 Introduction to case study 1.2 The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry and Let’s Be Heard 1.3 Context: Information on Scottish prisons

+ 2. Methodology

2.1 Who were the respondents? 2.2 Demographic snapshot of Scottish prisons 2.3 Related studies

+ 3. Analysis of Four Key Themes

3.1 Institutional responses and challenges 3.2 Compounded impacts 3.3 Barriers to healthcare 3.4 Mental health

+ 4. Prisoner Insights and Lessons

4.1 Preventative measures 4.2 Responsive actions

+ 5. References

+ ANNEX A: Additional quotes from prisoners

On pandemic planning and preparation: On communication between prisoners and authorities: On staff training and compliance with infection control procedures: On protective equipment and cleaning measures: On disruptions to justice processes and court proceedings: On prison progression and rehabilitation: On the easing of restrictions: On the suspension of work, exercise and education programmes: On the challenges with personal hygiene and cleanliness: On food quality and meal conditions: On access to healthcare: On access to testing: On mental health:

+ ANNEX B: Help and Support

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1. Introductions

Content

Content Warning:

Please be aware that some parts of this report may be distressing or raise issues of concern for some readers. There are a range of services available if you require support after reading this paper, which can be found at the end of this document.

1.1 Introduction to case study

Everyone in Scotland was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those in Scottish prisons. Since a key focus of the Inquiry is to look at how people were impacted by the devolved strategic response to the pandemic in Scotland, it is important to also include the experiences of prisoners during this time. This case study seeks to better understand the experiences of prisoners in Scotland during the pandemic through an examination of prisoners' responses to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s participation project, Let’s Be Heard. It will include the experiences of prisoners in Scotland during the pandemic, the impacts of the Scottish Government’s rules and restrictions, and the lessons prisoners think should be learned from their experiences.

This case study was conducted by Let’s Be Heard to capture the experiences of those based in Scottish prisons and help inform the Inquiry’s investigations. It shares the main observations from the 74 responses sent to Let’s Be Heard from 74 prisoners in Scotland. Please note that the respondents were self-selected, so participation was voluntary and do not reflect the voices of all prisoners in Scotland.

References to ‘prisoners’ and ‘respondents’ are used interchangeably to refer to the prisoners who responded to Let’s Be Heard.

It is important to note that the thematic findings in this case study represent the views of those who engaged with Let’s Be Heard. They do not represent, nor anticipate, the Inquiry’s conclusions or recommendations.

1.2 The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry and Let’s Be Heard

The independent Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry was set up to establish the facts and learn the lessons from the devolved strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. The scope of its investigation is set out in its Terms of Reference, and includes the impact on the provision of health and social care, education and certification, and business and welfare support.

Let’s Be Heard is the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry’s public participation project. It gives everyone affected by the devolved strategic response to the pandemic in Scotland between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 the opportunity to share their experiences with the Inquiry.

Let’s Be Heard ran its National Engagement Period from May 2023 to December 2023. During this time, members of the public were asked three key questions:

What were your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic? 
What were the impacts of these experiences on you or the people you know?
What lessons do you think should be learned from your experiences?

A preliminary report with initial thematic findings was published by Let’s Be Heard in November 2023. These findings drew on a random sample size of 675 individual experiences that had already been shared with Let’s Be Heard.

This was followed by a Focused Engagement Period, from May to November 2024, which aimed to hear from groups of people who had not engaged with Let’s Be Heard, and to hear more about unequal impacts across the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. During this time, Let’s Be Heard’s National Engagement response form remained open for members of the public to continue to tell the Inquiry about their experiences of the pandemic.

Almost 12,000 people shared their experiences with Let’s Be Heard, including 74 prisoners from prisons across Scotland.

Let’s Be Heard is a public participation project, allowing everyone in Scotland to share their experiences of the pandemic with the Inquiry, should they wish to do so. As with all public participation exercises, Let’s Be Heard does not seek to fact check what is shared. It allows the Scottish public to express what happened to them in their own words. Let's Be Heard then analyses what is shared, identifying the key themes and lessons to be learned, as highlighted by respondents, to feed into the Inquiry's investigations, reporting, and recommendations to Scottish Ministers.

1.3 Context: Information on Scottish prisons

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an executive agency of the Scottish Government. The SPS runs 15 institutions across Scotland, housing adults and young offenders both on remand and serving custodial sentences. Due to the nature and culture of prison life, particularly regarding the confinement and close proximity of prisoners to each other, the effects of COVID-19 created disproportionate impacts on prisoners in comparison to the general public.

The Scottish prison system also includes prisons which are privately managed, operated under contracts with private companies. These facilities, while still subject to oversight from the Scottish Government, are managed under a guidance chain distinct from the direct control of the SPS. This case study engaged with two prisons that were privately-run during the pandemic. Throughout this case study, the terms 'prison authorities,' 'prison management' and 'prison staff' are used broadly to refer to all personnel, regardless of whether they serve in public sector or privately run institutions.