His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) closely monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) contractors through formal contract management arrangements and assured performance reporting. Where contractor failures are identified, contractual remedies are available. These include service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is coordinating activity across criminal justice system partners to address the causes of delays in prisoner movements and court appearances.

Delays to court proceedings are recorded by H M Courts & Tribunals Service by means of court exception reports (CERs). CERs record delays arising from a range of factors and agencies across the criminal justice system, including prisons and courts, as well as prisoner-related issues and PECS. In the year to 31 July 2026, 22 CERs were submitted relating to cases where the late arrival of a prisoner had contributed to a delay at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Of these, two were attributable to the PECS contractor.

HMPPS routinely monitors PECS contractor performance through a range of measures, including contract delivery indicators (CDIs). Information on contractor performance against three key CDIs is published through the Cabinet Office transparency reporting process. The Department keeps its reporting arrangements under review and continues to consider how best to ensure transparency while supporting effective contract management.

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) closely monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) contractors through formal contract management arrangements and assured performance reporting. Where contractor failures are identified, contractual remedies are available. These include service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is coordinating activity across criminal justice system partners to address the causes of delays in prisoner movements and court appearances.

Delays to court proceedings are recorded by H M Courts & Tribunals Service by means of court exception reports (CERs). CERs record delays arising from a range of factors and agencies across the criminal justice system, including prisons and courts, as well as prisoner-related issues and PECS. In the year to 31 July 2026, 22 CERs were submitted relating to cases where the late arrival of a prisoner had contributed to a delay at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Of these, two were attributable to the PECS contractor.

HMPPS routinely monitors PECS contractor performance through a range of measures, including contract delivery indicators (CDIs). Information on contractor performance against three key CDIs is published through the Cabinet Office transparency reporting process. The Department keeps its reporting arrangements under review and continues to consider how best to ensure transparency while supporting effective contract management.

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) closely monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) contractors through formal contract management arrangements and assured performance reporting. Where contractor failures are identified, contractual remedies are available. These include service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is coordinating activity across criminal justice system partners to address the causes of delays in prisoner movements and court appearances.

Delays to court proceedings are recorded by H M Courts & Tribunals Service by means of court exception reports (CERs). CERs record delays arising from a range of factors and agencies across the criminal justice system, including prisons and courts, as well as prisoner-related issues and PECS. In the year to 31 July 2026, 22 CERs were submitted relating to cases where the late arrival of a prisoner had contributed to a delay at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Of these, two were attributable to the PECS contractor.

HMPPS routinely monitors PECS contractor performance through a range of measures, including contract delivery indicators (CDIs). Information on contractor performance against three key CDIs is published through the Cabinet Office transparency reporting process. The Department keeps its reporting arrangements under review and continues to consider how best to ensure transparency while supporting effective contract management.

During the period January to July 2026, of the 26 recorded instances of court time lost at Bristol Crown Court owing to the late delivery of a prisoner, one was attributable to Serco. The remaining 25 instances were attributable to a range of factors elsewhere in the criminal justice system, including issues arising within prisons, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and prisoner refusals.

HM Prison and Probation Service continually monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contractors through assured performance information and formal contract management arrangements, with service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions available where failures are attributable to the contractor. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is co-ordinating work across criminal justice system partners to address the end-to-end causes of delay.

In the year ending 30 June 2026, contractors escorted approximately 343,000 prisoners to court. Of around 6,600 reported delays involving prisoners transported by PECS, 504 were attributable to contractor performance, with the majority arising from wider criminal justice system factors. Overall contractor performance remains strong and, where standards are not met, financial deductions, improvement plans and other contractual remedies are applied.

The Department holds monthly performance information for Prisoner Escort and Custody Services contractors covering the period since the current contracts commenced in September 2020. This includes data on prisoner movements between police stations, courts and prisons to monitor and measure overall PECS supplier service delivery and performance against Contract Delivery Indicators. The information is used to monitor contractual compliance and inform the application of improvement plans, financial deductions and other contractual remedies where required.

Previously published data show that PECS supplier-attributable delays reduced from 0.16% of court productions in 2023 to 0.08% in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, PECS suppliers delivered prisoners to court on time in 99.91% of cases, compared with an overall criminal justice system timely delivery to court rate of 98.19%.

During the period January to July 2026, of the 26 recorded instances of court time lost at Bristol Crown Court owing to the late delivery of a prisoner, one was attributable to Serco. The remaining 25 instances were attributable to a range of factors elsewhere in the criminal justice system, including issues arising within prisons, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and prisoner refusals.

HM Prison and Probation Service continually monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contractors through assured performance information and formal contract management arrangements, with service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions available where failures are attributable to the contractor. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is co-ordinating work across criminal justice system partners to address the end-to-end causes of delay.

In the year ending 30 June 2026, contractors escorted approximately 343,000 prisoners to court. Of around 6,600 reported delays involving prisoners transported by PECS, 504 were attributable to contractor performance, with the majority arising from wider criminal justice system factors. Overall contractor performance remains strong and, where standards are not met, financial deductions, improvement plans and other contractual remedies are applied.

The Department holds monthly performance information for Prisoner Escort and Custody Services contractors covering the period since the current contracts commenced in September 2020. This includes data on prisoner movements between police stations, courts and prisons to monitor and measure overall PECS supplier service delivery and performance against Contract Delivery Indicators. The information is used to monitor contractual compliance and inform the application of improvement plans, financial deductions and other contractual remedies where required.

Previously published data show that PECS supplier-attributable delays reduced from 0.16% of court productions in 2023 to 0.08% in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, PECS suppliers delivered prisoners to court on time in 99.91% of cases, compared with an overall criminal justice system timely delivery to court rate of 98.19%.

During the period January to July 2026, of the 26 recorded instances of court time lost at Bristol Crown Court owing to the late delivery of a prisoner, one was attributable to Serco. The remaining 25 instances were attributable to a range of factors elsewhere in the criminal justice system, including issues arising within prisons, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and prisoner refusals.

HM Prison and Probation Service continually monitors Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contractors through assured performance information and formal contract management arrangements, with service credits, fixed-cost remedies and improvement actions available where failures are attributable to the contractor. In addition, the ministerially-chaired Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board is co-ordinating work across criminal justice system partners to address the end-to-end causes of delay.

In the year ending 30 June 2026, contractors escorted approximately 343,000 prisoners to court. Of around 6,600 reported delays involving prisoners transported by PECS, 504 were attributable to contractor performance, with the majority arising from wider criminal justice system factors. Overall contractor performance remains strong and, where standards are not met, financial deductions, improvement plans and other contractual remedies are applied.

The Department holds monthly performance information for Prisoner Escort and Custody Services contractors covering the period since the current contracts commenced in September 2020. This includes data on prisoner movements between police stations, courts and prisons to monitor and measure overall PECS supplier service delivery and performance against Contract Delivery Indicators. The information is used to monitor contractual compliance and inform the application of improvement plans, financial deductions and other contractual remedies where required.

Previously published data show that PECS supplier-attributable delays reduced from 0.16% of court productions in 2023 to 0.08% in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, PECS suppliers delivered prisoners to court on time in 99.91% of cases, compared with an overall criminal justice system timely delivery to court rate of 98.19%.

The figures below show the total number of reported delays to hearings and trials over the last three years where the defendant was not produced from prison as required on time. The figures reflect overall reported incidents rather than being attributed solely to the PECS supplier.

2023 = 1072

2024 = 1272

2025 = 1297

Evidence from recent performance reporting shows consistent sustained levels of PECS supplier delivery to court, with supplier-attributable delays remaining low relative to overall court production volumes. In 2025, overall criminal justice system delivery to court was timely in 98.19% of cases; PECS suppliers met contractual expectations by delivering prisoners to court on time in 99.91% of cases.

We recognise the problems we inherited in prisoner transfer with delays occurring at prisons, en route between prison and court and at courts themselves in bringing prisoners to the dock. The Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending and I have launched a new oversight body established to review prisoner transfer from end to end. This will monitor and drive performance improvements in prisoner transfer across the country.

HMPPS holds regular contract management boards and strategic partnership boards with Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) suppliers to review performance, including any instances where late arrival at court has been attributed to supplier actions. These discussions are informed by assured Court Exception Report data from courts and focus on identifying root causes, agreeing corrective actions and applying contractual levers where appropriate. To strengthen system wide oversight, a Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board has been established, chaired by Lord Timpson and Minister Sackman, with representation from key Criminal Justice System partners, and will meet quarterly.

Evidence from recent performance reporting shows consistent levels of PECS Supplier delivery to court, with supplier attributable delays remaining low relative to overall court production volumes. In 2025, overall criminal justice system delivery to court was on time in 98.19% of cases; PECS suppliers met contractual expectations by delivering prisoners to court on time in 99.91% of cases. PECS supplier attributable delays represent a small proportion of overall court delays, which are approximately 8% as a whole.

The Department continually assesses the effectiveness of service credits within PECS contracts as part of its performance management framework. Service credits are applied where outcomes fall below contractual standards and act as an incentive to maintain high levels of punctuality and operational performance. Where performance concerns arise, service credits are accompanied by improvement plans and closer operational scrutiny to drive sustained improvement rather than relying on financial levers alone.

HMPPS holds regular contract management boards and strategic partnership boards with Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) suppliers to review performance, including any instances where late arrival at court has been attributed to supplier actions. These discussions are informed by assured Court Exception Report data from courts and focus on identifying root causes, agreeing corrective actions and applying contractual levers where appropriate. To strengthen system wide oversight, a Prisoner Delivery Oversight Board has been established, chaired by Lord Timpson and Minister Sackman, with representation from key Criminal Justice System partners, and will meet quarterly.

Evidence from recent performance reporting shows consistent levels of PECS Supplier delivery to court, with supplier attributable delays remaining low relative to overall court production volumes. In 2025, overall criminal justice system delivery to court was on time in 98.19% of cases; PECS suppliers met contractual expectations by delivering prisoners to court on time in 99.91% of cases. PECS supplier attributable delays represent a small proportion of overall court delays, which are approximately 8% as a whole.

The Department continually assesses the effectiveness of service credits within PECS contracts as part of its performance management framework. Service credits are applied where outcomes fall below contractual standards and act as an incentive to maintain high levels of punctuality and operational performance. Where performance concerns arise, service credits are accompanied by improvement plans and closer operational scrutiny to drive sustained improvement rather than relying on financial levers alone.

Data on the number of trials declared ineffective due to the non-production of defendants can be found here: Criminal court statistics - GOV.UK (trial effectiveness at the criminal courts tool).

In 2025, the non-production of defendants by the Prisoner Escort Custody Service (PECS) accounted for 176 (2%) of ineffective trials in the Crown Court and 885 (4%) of ineffective trials in the magistrates’ courts.

Sir Brian Leveson made a number of recommendations to address the late arrivals of prisoners to court in his Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. We recognise the problems we inherited in prisoner transfer with delays occurring at prisons, en route between prison and court, and at courts themselves in bringing prisoners to the dock. We are gripping this – along with the Minister for Prisons, I am establishing an oversight body to review prisoner transfer from end to end. This will monitor and drive performance improvements in prisoner transfer across the country.

We are also working with the Department for Transport and local authorities to expand the number of areas where PECS vans can use bus lanes to reduce traffic delays, and in London we are working with Transport for London to retime the traffic signals to prioritise PECS vans so they are more likely to receive a green light.

The Prisons & Probation Ombudsman will publish the report of his investigation once it has concluded. We understand that no publication date has been set at this stage.

The Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) contracts require Suppliers to deliver prisoners to court in time for their hearing to avoid loss of court time. Contract Delivery Indicator (CDI)15 therefore measures “Courtroom delay due to Supplier actions resulting in a Prisoner who is the responsibility of the Supplier not being available in the Courtroom at the required Courtroom appearance time and delay to court proceedings”.

CDI 15 is structured to take account of the fact that not all prisoners are scheduled to appear at the standard 10:00 commencement time used by the courts. Within the Magistrates’ courts, several prisoners may be listed for hearings at the same time, and courts then determine the running order of cases as required. PECS Suppliers are, therefore, required to transport prisoners in accordance with their individual hearing times and to ensure that they are available when their hearings are due to begin. Where a courtroom is unable to begin proceedings because a prisoner is not available at the required time, this is recorded as a delay. Where the court is able to progress other work in the interim, a contractual delay is not recorded; however, the incident will be logged to support assurance activity.

CDI 15 aligns with H M Court and Tribunal Service’s Court Exception Reporting process. Through this process, any delays to court proceedings as a result of late prisoner delivery, regardless of fault, are formally recorded and shared with the PECS Contract Management Team in H M Prison and Probation Service. In addition, suppliers are required to self-report any delays resulting from their actions, to ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting.

These contractual mechanisms ensure that performance issues are rigorously captured, transparently monitored, and proportionately addressed. They take account of situations where delays arise owing to factors outside the supplier’s reasonable control, supporting fair and accurate performance assessment, and promoting continuous improvement across the criminal justice system.

The Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contracts specify that the contractor shall deliver prisoners to court by the required times to ensure the efficient and effective running of courts without delay. The key performance indicator relating to the timeliness of prisoner arrivals in court is Contract Delivery Indicator 15, at Annex 1 to Schedule 5 of the contract.

The PECS contracts can be found in the Contracts Finder on the GOV.UK website:

Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (Generation 4) - Lot North - Contracts Finder.

Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (Generation 4) - Lot South - Contracts Finder.