Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission minutes: July 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Martyn Evans, Chair
• Catherine Dyer CBE, Chair of Community Justice Scotland
• Dr Hannah Graham, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Stirling
• 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

• Apologies: Former Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson

Items and actions

1.Welcome and Updates on Engagement and recent developments

 There has been a continuation of informative engagements across various sectors since the previous commission meeting. A brief overview was provided of these engagements. The commission will continue to meet people with lived experience and victim organisations in the coming months.

A summary of the call for evidence will be carried out in house in addition to the in-depth procurement of independent analysis with a report available later in the year.

2. Remand - Options for reform

A range of potential reforms regarding bail and remand 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.

3.Session with Justice Analytical Services

The presentation by Justice Analytical Services (JAS) was highly informative and engaging regarding the trends that have led to the current prison population, including the decline in crime, changing case load, and increase in sentencing lengths for some crime types.

The next meeting will take place on 26 August 2025 in person at St Andrew House, Edinburgh.