Chamber and committees

I agree. I think that it is really important that, alongside whatever we decide to do, we support clear arrangements around data collection, because that is fundamental to tracking progress on the range of issues that we have highlighted.

I agree 100 per cent with those comments. I think that it is for the reasons that you have just set out and I think that you are right that this cannot be mandated practice. We referred earlier to the practice note, which informs people about what is expected but does not have a role in mandating practice, which makes it more difficult.

Good morning, and welcome to the sixth meeting in 2023 of the Criminal Justice Committee. There are no apologies this morning. Our first item of business is consideration of the Scottish Prison Service’s urgent case review and the housing of transgender prisoners. I refer members to paper 1.

I intend to allow around 45 minutes for this session, after any opening statements. I welcome Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Mr Neil Rennick, director of justice at the Scottish Government, and Ms Teresa Medhurst, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service.

I invite Ms Medhurst to make some brief opening remarks, followed by the cabinet secretary.

You can do so if it is your final question, because other members are waiting to come in.

We can note that and insert it at the relevant part of the action plan.

I will open the floor to questions. I will bring in Katy Clark, to be followed by Russell Findlay.

Do members agree with the actions that are in the paper in relation to the SPA? Those actions have an important role. Despite some of our comments and views on the SPA in our scrutiny, are we nonetheless happy to accept the proposed actions?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you very much.

Our next agenda item is formal consideration of a motion to annul a negative instrument, the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2022. I refer members to paper 2 and invite Jamie Greene to comment on whether he wishes to press or withdraw the motion.

That concludes the public part of our meeting.

The next agenda item is consideration of correspondence from Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, the Scottish Police Federation and the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents on policing and mental health. I refer members to paper 4 and invite comments on the correspondence, any suggested follow-up that members wish to see and the proposed actions set out in paragraphs 24 and 25.

Before members come in, for the record, I say that I am pleased that we have had the opportunity to consider this important issue and that there is support for the work on policing and mental health, and support for it to continue and develop. As such, the proposed actions in the paper are, I feel, a way to ensure that the work continues. Indeed, I know that the SPA is keen to have a role in that.

With that, I am happy to open up the discussion to members.