Ministerial Statement Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission скачать в хорошем качестве

Ministerial Statement Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission

In my statement to the Parliament on 3 February, I announced my intention to lay regulations to change the automatic release point for some short-term prisoners to 30 per cent of their sentence. I am taking that action because the prison population remains unsustainably high and to ensure that the prison estate is safe for those who work and live there. The decision was not taken lightly, and public safety and the protection of victims remain priorities. Before making regulations to change the release point, Scottish ministers must, by law, consult a range of named organisations, as well as any other persons they consider appropriate. The Scottish Government wrote to the consultees after my statement to the Parliament last Tuesday, and 28 responses were received. A broad range of views were expressed, and it will not be possible to outline all of those to the Parliament today; however, in the interests of transparency, it is my intention to publish responses that were shared during the consultation, where permission is given. My officials have written to respondents to seek their permission to share the responses that were provided. In general, there was a recognition of the impact and risks of having a high prison population. Some respondents felt that the proposals were necessary to mitigate those impacts; others wanted the focus to be on longer-term reform to address underlying drivers of the prison population, alongside an analysis of the measures undertaken. I will say more today on the need for that change to be delivered alongside longer-term reform. A range of issues were raised by consultees, including the need for clearer information for victims and the wider public on release arrangements, to support public protection and to manage the impact on demand for public sector services and on the community, and, consequently, the impact that that could have on the outcomes for those being released. To watch in full - https://www.scottishparliament.tv/mee...