Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission minutes: August 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Chair -Martyn Evans
• Commissioners 
• Catherine Dyer CBE, Chair of Community Justice Scotland
• Dr Hannah Graham, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Stirling
• Former Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson
• Sheriff David Mackie
• Lynsey Smith, Chair of the Social Work Scotland Justice Standing Committee
• Secretariat, Quentin Fisher, Nicola Wisdahl, Aimee Burns, Shana Manzoor, Alastair Bowden

Items and actions

Welcome: including updates on engagement, recent developments

There have been a number of engagement meetings over the month of August, including the academic roundtable and lived experience events. These engagement meetings will continue in the month of September.

Call for Evidence – session with independent researchers and chance to hear Commissioners’ views on responses

An initial analysis of the call for evidence data was presented to the Chair and Commissioners. The findings were informative and highlighted that the main themes so far are:

• Raising awareness to counter punitive attitudes towards people in the criminal justice system
• The need for effective multi-agency working to support a rehabilitation
• Taking action to tackle non-compliance with sentencing requirements or bail conditions 
• Enhancing victim-centred approaches
• Providing tailored, individualised approaches to people involved in the criminal justice system. 
• Calls for more data collection, reporting or research

Direct Measures

A range of potential reforms regarding direct measures were discussed with a view to ensuring Scotland has a sustainable prison population while considering public safety and the needs of victims. A further paper will be circulated shortly that takes on board Commissioners’ views.

Any Other Business 

The next chair and commissioners meeting will take place on 22 September 1pm at Atlantic Quay, Glasgow.