News

The Case for Gendered and Intersectional Approaches to Justice

On 23 August 2023, the Scottish Government published, ‘The Case for Gendered and Intersectional Approaches to Justice’, an independent report commissioned through its Women in Justice Leadership Panel. It concludes that a gendered approach to supporting women in the criminal justice system could lead to improved legitimisation of the system.

Associations Between Significant Head Injury in Male Juveniles in Prison in Scotland UK and Cognitive Function, Disability and Crime

On 12 July 2023, a cross-sectional study by Glasgow University researchers entitled, ‘Associations Between Significant Head Injury in Male Juveniles in Prison in Scotland UK and Cognitive Function, Disability and Crime’ was published. The research was carried out with 103 participants from HMP/YOI Polmont. It found that whilst there was no difference in offending between those with and without significant head injury (SHI), signs of poorer behavioural control and greater psychological distress in juveniles with SHI suggests that they may be at greater risk of reoffending and of potentially becoming lifelong offenders. This implies a need for corresponding “remedial programmes” to take this into account.

HMIPS Thematic Review of Segregation in Scottish Prisons

On 21 July 2023 HMIPS published its Thematic Review of Segregation in Scottish Prisons. It was a highly critical report, highlighting a raft of concerns at an individual and systemic level, with some very troubling findings including serious prisoner mistreatment at an unnamed prison. It also covered the issue of a lack of high secure beds for women in Scotland, linking it to the Independent Forensic Mental Health Review’s strong recommendation that this be actioned within 9 months of its 2021 report. SPICe (Scottish Parliament Information Centre) also published a briefing paper on Forensic Mental Health Services in Scotland, reiterating similar points.

 

 

HMP Greenock Full Inspection Report

On 14 July 2023 HMIPS published its full inspection report of HMP Greenock. Whilst it praised the leadership and management of the prison, highlighting what it described as “excellent staff-prisoner relationships” it did not shy away from serious criticism of the appalling state of the building which dates from the early 1900s. There are no plans as yet to replace it, with new issues arising re the previously confirmed rebuilding of HMP Barlinnie and HMP Inverness in terms of costs and timings.

Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill

On 22 June 2023 the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament. During its passage through Parliament much of the debate had focused on the proposed change to the ‘bail test’ which was opposed by victims’ groups and others. The Lord President advised that this would make the process cumbersome with no discernible difference to outcomes.  This view become stronger as the debate progressed. We had previously engaged extensively with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, MSPs from all parties and policy teams regarding this legislation in the hope that, in particular, it could address Scotland's disproportionately high rates of remand.

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