Drawing on surveys and focus groups with prisoners, the report reveals systemic delays, poor communication, and a lack of transparency in the sentence progression process – leaving many feeling forgotten and hopeless. It calls for a fairer, more accountable system that fosters personal development, sustains hope, and ensures timely progression through the prison system towards release.

Prisoners are spending years longer than may be necessary for the purposes of punishment or rehabilitation, because they are unable to access what they need to prepare them, and demonstrate that they are ready for release. Many prisoners serving life sentences or orders for lifelong restriction (OLRs) have spent years – sometimes decades – beyond the punishment part of their sentence (tariff), due to delays in accessing required programmes, assessments, and transfers to less secure conditions. This prolonged detention undermines hope and raises serious concerns about fairness, human rights and accountability.

The findings echo the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s recent discussion paper on OLRs, which urged the Scottish government and Parliament to urgently consider whether OLR administration meets Scotland’s human-rights obligations.

Trust in the system is also a significant concern. Prisoners said that they feel their personal efforts to change and develop – through education, activities, or compliance with prison rules – are not adequately recognised in formal decision-making processes.

Negative treatment, poor communication, and a lack of accountability further erode trust, making it difficult for prisoners to engage meaningfully with progression activities. The report calls for stronger relationships between prisoners and key staff, including personal officers, social workers, and psychologists, to help to rebuild trust and improve engagement.

The report also highlights the barriers faced by prisoners with additional needs, including those with physical health issues, neurodivergence, or language barriers. Prisoners report that the process of preparing for release often fails to adequately accommodate and support these needs, exacerbating the challenges faced by these individuals.

Claudia Vince, programme director of the Prison Reform Trust’s Building Futures project on long-term imprisonment, said: “This report reflects the voices of some of those most affected by Scotland’s sentence progression system. Their insights reveal deep challenges – but also a clear path forward. 

“By involving prisoners and external stakeholders in shaping solutions, and working collaboratively, we can build a more effective system that better supports rehabilitation and reintegration, whilst restoring hope. This benefits not only those in custody, but also their families and communities – creating safer, more just outcomes for everyone.”