The contract to escort adult prisoners is managed on behalf of Scottish Ministers by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).
In November 2003, the Scottish Prison Service signed a contract on behalf of Scottish Ministers with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd (Reliance) for the provision of prisoner escort and custody services. Implementation commenced in April 2004 and the contract became fully operational on February 21, 2005. This contract runs until December 2011 (with the option of a three year extension.)
The contract itself covers a range of prisoner transport and security management services which are delivered to a number of agencies including the Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Court Service, District Courts (Local Authorities), eight Scottish police forces and the State Hospital and other NHS secure Units.