Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission minutes: September

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, Alastair Bowden

Items and actions

Welcome: including updates on engagement, recent developments

There have been a series of valuable engagement sessions facilitated by the Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (SACRO) offering the commission meaningful insights and recommendations from those with lived experience. Additionally, the Robertson Trust roundtable in Glasgow brought together third sector organisations for a wide-ranging discussion, generating useful contributions on current projects and mentoring initiatives.

Draft Report Structure and Recommendations

After a discussion the narrative structure of the report was agreed. It was noted that transparency about the current position was important. There was also some discussion on multi-agency approaches in relation to mental health and early interventions.

 Sentencing: draft chapter and recommendations

A range of potential reforms regarding sentencing options 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 at 10 a.m. on 22 October 2025 at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.