Chamber and committees

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.

I have a number of members who want to come in. I will come back to you, Russell, but first I will bring in Rona Mackay and then Pauline McNeill.

We recently visited a third sector organisation that supports individuals who are at the point of leaving prison. What came across very strongly to me was the issue of timing and the value that seems to be placed on the likes of third sector organisations being able almost to insert themselves into prison prior to an individual walking out of the gates. I found that very powerful; the organisations are catching somebody, as it were, before they walk out of the prison and potentially become lost to services or difficult to engage with. That made complete sense to me, and I would like to explore your views on that a little bit more.

I will come to Nancy Loucks first.

For the record, the Crown is coming in next week to give evidence. Some of our discussion today has referenced that organisation. It will be interesting to hear some of its commentary.

Before I bring the session to a close, we have not really had a chance to cover part 2 of the bill. Our second panel of witnesses, who have joined us in the public gallery of the committee room this morning, may be interested in that. Before we finish, I would like to ask whether you have any specific views on part 2 of the bill in respect of release from prison—particularly Friday releases, the power to release early, and the key issue of release planning. I will do things in reverse order. I will bring in Stuart Munro first. I will then come to Joanne McMillan, and I will finish with Fred Mackintosh.