- Home
- About
- News
- Back to News listing
- Changes to use of prison under the spotlight
Changes to use of prison under the spotlight
1 July 2022
The new Bail and Release from Custody Bill, which the Government hopes will reduce use of custody for remand, give greater priority to rehabilitation for those leaving prison, and reduce overall reoffending rates, makes a number of changes including:
- changing the test that the court must apply when making decisions about bail, and requiring the court to record reasons if bail is refused,
- Ending ‘Friday release’ from prisons, so prisoners being released have a chance to access public services,
- Introducing minimum standards for throughcare support provided to prisoners throughout their time in prison and during their transition back into the community,
- Allowing victim support organisations to receive information about prisoners, including their release.
The Committee is today launching a call for views which will run over the summer, ahead of hearings expected to take place later in the year. A report on the Committee’s findings will follow.
Speaking as the call for views was launched, Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said:
“These plans propose important changes to the criminal justice system in Scotland.
“We want to hear the range of views on them which exist across Scotland, not least from victims of crime, those with experience of prison and the families and communities around these people.”
Background
Full information on the Bill and the call for views can be found here
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body securely processes journalists’ data for the purpose of enabling reporting on the work of the Scottish Parliament, in line with current data protection requirements. You have the right to unsubscribe at any time. For further information, please see our Privacy Notice.
Contact
Media information
Greg Black: 07920 296 862