Civil servants working in Scotland's justice system have complained that their high workloads and inadequate IT infrastructure are a barrier to the effective processing of prosecutions and functioning of the courts.
A survey of staff at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – responsible for the prosecution of crime – and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has found that at least three-quarters of officials say their workload is at odds with the successful delivery of justice.
The research, conducted by Unity Consulting Scotland for the PCS union, found 77% of COPFS staff and 57% of SCTS officials report that they have “witnessed or experienced mistakes happening due to pressures on staff and [as] a result of their workload”.
Ninety percent of COPFS staff and 63% of SCTS officials said the IT infrastructure they use for their jobs is not fit for purpose. Similar proportions of staff at each organisation said IT woes slowed down their work and put the brakes on the delivery of justice.
Just over one third of COPFS staff and 20% of SCTS officials said their workload was unmanageable; 43% of COPFS staff and 32% of SCTS counterparts said they did not believe they were properly trained for their role.
The research found that more than two-thirds of COPFS staff and 60% of SCTS officials had experienced stress and mental ill health because of their jobs.
Ruby Gibson, PCS national officer for Scotland, said the research painted a picture of a system under strain and reliant on the goodwill of staff whose wellbeing was being negatively impacted.
She said a survey finding showing 15% of COPFS staff and 10% of SCTS staff were unable to take the flexitime they had accrued implied an institutional reliance on free labour.
“Unlike many other reports, we have listened to the people who help deliver justice and know the system best: the workforce,” she said. “Their testimony has outlined the impact of years of underfunding in these organisations and what we have heard from them is shocking.
“Through this research, PCS members have painted a picture of the stark reality of the challenges within COPFS and SCTS.
“The conditions these dedicated staff are working in are completely unmanageable. This is an outrageous situation, and the responsibility lies at the door of the Scottish Government and senior management in COPFS and SCTS.
“We cannot have a Scottish justice system that runs off unpaid labour and the goodwill of staff. The workforce deserves better. The Scottish public deserves better. It is time to properly invest in the justice sector and make it fit for purpose.”
PCS is calling for the implementation of a long-term budget strategy with guaranteed year-on-year funding, a review of workloads and clarity of job roles, an urgent review of IT systems, mental health training and a minimum wage of least £15 an hour.
A COPFS spokesperson said: “COPFS values its employees very highly and their welfare is of great importance to the organisation. We will consider this report and discuss with PCS.”
A spokesperson for SCTS said the organisation would "take the necessary time" to review the PCS report that contains the survey findings.
“We are committed to continuing our partnership with PCS to achieve the best outcomes for those we serve,” they said. “The SCTS is dedicated to adapting to the evolving needs of the justice system, with staff wellbeing being of paramount importance.”