Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission minutes: November 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, Assistant Chief Officer for Operations and Governance Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership
• Secretariat, Quentin Fisher, Nicola Wisdahl, Aimee Burns, Shana Manzoor, Carmen Jongepier, Alastair Bowden

Items and actions

1.Welcome: including updates on recent developments etc

Several valuable engagement meetings took place, including attending Sentencing in Scotland 2025, held by the Scottish Sentencing Council, and a session with Aberdeen Justice Social Work and engagement with  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Justice Social Work, covering Stornoway, the Western Isles, and the Outer Hebrides.

2.At the Crossroads: The Sentencing Decision

A draft chapter was agreed regarding sentencing policy with a view to ensuring Scotland has a sustainable prison population while considering public safety and the needs of victims. Issues discussed included a move toward prohibiting custodial sentences under 12 months – with limited exceptions – and in the meantime extending the presumption against short sentences to 24 months to support more consistent decision-making

3.Paths in the Community: Supervision, Support, and Doing the Work

A draft chapter was agreed regarding release and supervision with a view to ensuring Scotland has a sustainable prison population while considering public safety and the needs of victims.

4.Crossing the Line: Bail and Remand 

A draft chapter was agreed regarding bail and remand and associated issues. Issues discussed included strengthening bail support, improving communication with accused people and expanding access to supported accommodation.

5.The Road Home: Reintegration and Reducing Reoffending

A draft chapter was agreed regarding reintegration of people who have offended back into communities. Issues discussed included, rehabilitation, victims and public safety, preparation for release, housing, and the necessity of planning for reintegration, and collaborative working to provide joined up services.

6.Strengthening Community Justice Structures and Landscape

A draft chapter was agreed regarding the strengthening of community justice structures and landscape with a discussion of issues including enhanced powers for Community Justice Scotland to set standards, drive improvement and challenge poor performance. There was also consideration of more integrated inspection, shared performance measures and additional scrutiny of court administration to improve efficiency and confidence, and strengthened risk-management oversight to support more proportionate, evidence-led practice across Scotland

7.Any Other Business 

The next Chair and Commissioners is scheduled on 8 December 2025 at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.