Committee calls for explanation on lack of communication after Polmont disorder
The incident happened on September 26, with MSPs unaware until the BBC reported it at the end of October.
A Scottish Parliament Committee has called for an explanation as it “remains deeply dissatisfied” with communication on prison disorder at a youth institution in September.
The Criminal Justice Committee has written to Justice Secretary Neil Gray and chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Linda Pollock to register “serious concerns” regarding communication, transparency and strategic oversight surrounding major operational disturbances within the Scottish Prison Service estate.
The letter comes after the Scottish Prison Service revealed to BBC News that the worst prison disorder seen in Scotland in a decade erupted at HMP and YOI Polmont in September.
The incident, which involved around 30 inmates, required additional officers from four other jails to help restore order.
Ms Pollock told BBC News it was an example of “bubbling tension” caused by overcrowding at the facility.
The incident happened on September 26, with MSPs unaware until the BBC reported it at the end of October.
The committee says it “remains deeply dissatisfied with the handling of information following the serious disorder at HMP Polmont in late September 2026”.
Committee convener David Linden said: “Beyond the immediate issues of transparency, the committee is urgently concerned with how the Scottish Prison Service is assessing and mitigating the ongoing risk of recurrence.”
The letter has called for “a clear explanation of who took the decision not to inform Parliament, when ministers first became aware of the incident and its seriousness, and whether the Cabinet Secretary knew that the committee had not been notified.”
It also asks for an explanation of the reasons for the decision not to inform the committee and who was responsible for it.
The committee has requested a written response within seven days, addressing the questions raised in the letter.
When questioned on the issue last week at the Criminal Justice Committee, Mr Gray said he would “reflect” on the dissemination of information.
He said: “There is no desire to (not) be in any way transparent or as transparent as we possibly can be in operational matters such as this.
“As I’ve given as a commitment, we will reflect upon the dissemination of information on operational decisions and matters such as this to ensure that the committee is given the necessary information it needs.”
Police Scotland are continuing to investigate the incident at YOI Polmont.
The Scottish Government said that, subject to parliamentary approval, the Justice Secretary will deliver a statement to Parliament on Tuesday afternoon concerning the recent disorder at Polmont.
It said a response to the Criminal Justice Committee’s letter will be sent in due course.
The Scottish Prison Service has been approached for comment.