Hearing evidence of the historical abuse of children and young people while in the care of the Scottish Prison Service has been “harrowing and distressing”, its boss has told an inquiry.

Appearing before the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Edinburgh on Friday, SPS chief executive Theresa Medhurst said she appreciated the opportunity to face the panel again and respond to evidence from custody officers, academics, and those who experienced abuse within young offender institutions, approved schools and open borstals.

The inquiry has heard evidence from witnesses who were held with adults within the prison estate.

Ms Medhurst said she was “struck” by the amount of physical violence that was “most often” carried out by staff.

She said staff at prisons had “breached trust”.

Children and young people who were in young offender institutions or approved schools were often kept “locked up for long periods of time with no access to learning or meaningful opportunities”, Ms Medhurst said.

They developed a “poor relationship with authority” as a result, she added.

She said: “It reinforces the need for an apology.”

Ms Medhurst said the SPS has made improvements over the last decades and it has a “desire to be better informed”.

She added: “I have listened and will give my full consideration to the evidence.”

Ms Medhurst said the SPS is taking a more “individualised” approach to caring for children and young people and is striving to become a trauma-informed organisation.

Later, Neil Rennick, the Scottish Government’s director-general of education and justice, told the inquiry of evidence from witnesses regarding young offender accommodation: “Absolutely nothing (heard in evidence) has altered the apology on behalf of the Scottish ministers.”

He condemned the physical and sexual abuse young people experienced and also said the psychological impact on those who witnessed it should not be “underestimated”.

He said it is clear incidents involving members of staff had had the biggest impact on young people.

Mr Rennick stressed it is the intention of the Scottish Government to take all young people under the age of 18 out of young offender institutions completely and without exception.

A Bill is currently going through the Scottish Parliament to that effect.

Hearings for stage eight of the inquiry, examining the experiences of children and young people within young offender accommodation such as young offender institutions, borstals and approved schools, are expected to continue well into 2024.

Stage nine of the inquiry will look at the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs and disabilities.

Public hearings for stage nine are expected to begin in spring 2025.