This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Jan 2026 at 13:42

Tender

07 Mar 2025 at 13:26

Summary of the contracting process

The recent contract SPS-02206, titled "Justice Partners Escort and Court Custody (Scotland)", focuses on prisoner-escort services and has been awarded to Mitie Care & Custody Ltd. This procurement, managed by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) on behalf of various justice partners such as the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and Police Scotland, falls under the main procurement category of services within the prisoner-escort sector (CPV code 75231220). The award was completed on 23rd January 2026, marking the transition from the tender stage to the active contract phase. This contract, valued at £415,353,498, covers comprehensive escort services across Scotland, ensuring compliance with a wide array of legislative requirements. The procurement method employed was a competitive procedure with negotiation, which reflects the complexity and scale of the requirements involved.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in secure transportation, logistics, and custodial services. Companies with strong competencies in managing large-scale operations involving the movement of individuals, adherence to governmental legal standards, and robust data handling systems are well-positioned to compete effectively. The contract anticipates over 37,000 secure and community movements annually, creating substantial demands for reliable service providers equipped with efficient transportation infrastructure and workforce management capabilities. Such a contract extends beyond mere logistics, involving aspects of leadership, cultural management, and welfare, thus creating opportunities for businesses equipped with comprehensive solutions in prisoner care and security operations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

SPS-02206 Justice Partners Escort and Court Custody (Scotland)

Notice Description

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is seeking a competent service provider to undertake the delivery of the SPS-02206 Justice Partners Escort and Court Custody (Scotland) (JPECCS) contract. The SPS is the 'lead' authority in terms of managing the contract on behalf of the Scottish Government, led by the Criminal Justice Partners (including the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Services and Police Scotland). The Criminal Justice Partners will be seeking a service provider to deliver the full requirements of the JPECCS contract which covers all prisoner escorts in Scotland, including court movements, police custody unit movements, hospital appointments, inter-prison transfers, community work placements and transportation for home leave, together with court custody operations. In addition, there are a number of secure movements from police stations and prisons elsewhere in the UK to Scotland and vice versa. The service provider will also provide hospital watch escorts for those prisoners admitted to hospital. In 2023/24 there were approximately 37,000 secure and community movements transporting over 125,000 individuals under the contract. In addition, the service provider will require to have robust data collection systems and reporting tools to support the delivery of the contract and to measure performance.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Contract Award for the Justice Partners Escort and Court Custody (Scotland) (JPECCS). The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is the 'lead' authority for the 4th generation contract which provides services for its collaborative partners: the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Police Scotland and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The JPECCS contract has two key elements which are prisoner escorts and the management of prisoners in courts and supporting services as described in the tender documentation.

Renewal: The contract will have the option to extend up to a further 48 months.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ea86
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007105-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services


CPV Codes

75231220 - Prisoner-escort services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£415,353,498 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jan 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Apr 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Jan 20267 months ago
Contract Period
23 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
The initial Contract Term will expire during January 2035. There is a Contract extension of up to a further four years available.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Prison Service
Additional Buyers

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service

Scottish Government

Scottish Police Authority

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH12 9DJ
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Drum Brae/Gyle
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Mitie Care & Custody Ltd

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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