Chamber and committees

Thanks very much. I am sure that there will be more questions on that topic.

Our second panel consists of former sheriff David Mackie of Howard League Scotland; Professor Nancy Loucks, chief executive officer at Families Outside; and Ms Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, His Majesty’s chief inspector of prisons. I welcome you all. As with our first panel, I will move straight to questions, and I intend to allow about 60 to 80 minutes for this panel.

I will start with a general opening question on part 2, which relates to release from custody. I will come to Wendy Sinclair-Gieben first, then Professor Loucks and then David Mackie. With the aim of supporting the successful reintegration of prisoners into the community, the bill includes provisions on release planning and standards of throughcare support. Are the proposals helpful, and would you like to see any changes in the provisions?

Wendy, over to you.

I will bring in Pauline McNeill, followed by Rona Mackay.

Yes.

We are into the last 15 minutes or so for this item. A couple of members still want to come in. I will bring in Rona, then Katy.

I will move on to questions on the plans for release from custody. Sections 9 and 10 of the bill aim to support individuals’ successful integration back into the community. They have provisions relating to release planning and throughcare support for prisoners, and those provisions refer to Police Scotland. Police Scotland has a close relationship with the Scottish Prison Service on a range of issues, particularly at the point of release for an individual. In practice, what police input would you expect that is not taking place already? Given the point that Jamie Greene made about the impact on police resources, should the practice around that change?

Not at all. I will bring in Katy Clark and then Fulton MacGregor, and then we will have to bring the session to a close.

Professor Loucks, would you like to respond?

Thanks very much. That is extremely helpful and will open up some supplementary questions.

Thank you.