A HOLYROOD committee has called on the SNP Scottish government to take action on Scotland’s overcrowded and crumbling prisons at “crisis point.”

In December, finance watchdog Audit Scotland warned that “significant investment” was needed to make the prison estate fit for purpose and warned that the Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) contract with outsourcing specialist GEOAmey to transport prisoners to courts had caused “significant delays and inefficiencies across the justice system” amid staff shortages.

Fines on the company topping £4 million and the issuing of improvement notices by the SPS had had “little effect” according to Audit Scotland, as it warned the SPS and the Scottish government they could face legal action from prisoners amid concerns their human rights were being breached when they had court appearances delayed or missed medical appointments.

Holyrood’s public audit committee has now issued a report after hearing months of evidence from across the sector.

While the committee heard an apology from GEOAmey’s David Jones, evidence from SPS chief executive Teresa Medhurst warning that seven prisons were “on the brink” and at “red status” because of overcrowding led MSPs not only to echo the concerns voiced by Audit Scotland, but demand joint action from Scottish government and SPS.

Committee convener Richard Leonard said: “Our report is calling for urgent and long-term action to put our prisons and the delivery of services to support them on a more secure footing.

“Whether it’s the deteriorating condition of Scotland’s prison estate, our overpopulated prisons or the repeated failures in the delivery of the Scottish Courts Custody Escorting Services contract — it is clear that we are at a crisis point.

“The public audit committee recognises the challenges facing Scotland’s prison services.

“We commend the efforts of front-line staff, particularly at a time when prisoner numbers are at a record high, but it is clear that more must be done to address these challenges and that the time for action is now.”

A spokesman for the SPS said: “We fully recognise the importance of ensuring prison infrastructure is fit for purpose and meets the rights and needs of all those who live and work in our establishments.

A spokesman for the Scottish government it had provided “additional funding” as it was “clear that the performance of the GEOAmey contract has not been working how it should,” adding: “We remain committed to ensuring that the human rights of the people in our prisons are respected, protected and fulfilled.”