Written evidence submission on early release of prisoners and the prison population for the Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee - November (2024)

Abstract

Written evidence submission to the Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee by academics from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR): Dr Hannah Graham at the University of Stirling; Prof Sarah Armstrong, Prof Fergus McNeill, and Dr Marguerite Schinkel at the University of Glasgow; Dr Cara Jardine and Prof Beth Weaver at the University of Strathclyde; and Dr Katrina Morrison at Edinburgh Napier University. Our submission covers proposals for release of short-term prisoners, proposals for release of long-term prisoners, as well as making points about prison conditions, risk, rehabilitation, reintegration, and decarceration efforts in Scotland. Our evidence submission has been included in Scottish Parliament Committee meeting papers (Paper 3) for the meeting on Wednesday 13th November 2024. This is being considered ahead of and in anticipation of the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill being laid before Scottish Parliament at some point in November 2024.