Scottish Prisons Commission Meeting
Date: 28 January 2008, 13:30 - 16:30: HMP Edinburgh
Attendees:
Henry McLeish (Chair)
Chief Constable David Strang
Sheriff Alistair Duff
Richard Jeffrey
Lesley Riddoch
Jim Kerr, Scottish Prison Service
Annette Sharp, Secretary, Prisons Commission
Joe Church, Prisons Commission Secretariat
Joni Smith, Prisons Commission Secretariat, Press
Apologies:
Geraldine Gammell
Josephine McLean
Dr Karin Dotter-Schiller
Iain Harron, Prisons Commission Secretariat
Welcome and Introductions
1. Mr McLeish thanked the members for attending, acknowledging that a lot of time was being asked of the members. He explained that Dr Dotter-Schiller had been unable to attend because of unforeseen work commitments but had been in e-mail and telephone communication, with her suggested recommendations.
Workplan
Availability of Members
2. Mr McLeish said that there would be a considerable amount of work between now and June. It was important for members to keep in contact with the secretariat and participate as fully as possible in the Commission's work.
International Visits
3. A comparison of various international statistics was distributed. It was acknowledged that comparison of criminal justice statistics across jurisdictions was difficult, owing to varying methodology. Further academic papers on international comparisons would be sent to members.
4. It was requested that the Secretariat provide further comparisons of relevant international statistics, in order to try and pinpoint in exactly which areas Scotland was different from the other countries being looked at.
Action: Secretariat
Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007
5. The Secretary gave a powerpoint presentation on the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 (CSaW). It was noted that the underlying policy was to create a new regime that would provide clarity in sentencing, end automatic early release and provide end to end management of sentences. It was agreed that the Commission members would work on an interim report on the impact of the implementation of CSaW, and that this would form a chapter of the final report.
Action: Commission Members
6. It was requested that the Secretariat would provide the Commission members with background material on CSaW, and circulate the Powerpoint presentation, to assist in the writing of the draft report.
Action: Secretariat
Request that the Commission consider use of the Open Estate
7. Given the Cabinet Secretary for Justice's request that the Prisons Commission consider the use of the open estate as part of its wider remit, it was agreed that an earlier visit to the open estate should be arranged. It was requested that the Secretariat provide a briefing on the function and purpose of the open estate to Commission members.
Action: Secretariat
Communications Plan [SPC paper 6]
8. Joni Smith, the Prisons Commission Press Officer said that the Communications plan would be updated and sent out weekly to the Commission members. She stressed that it is open to revision.
Action: Secretariat - Press
Date of Next Meeting
9. It was agreed that evening dates were easier for most of the Commission members due to work commitments. It was agreed that the secretariat would arrange the next meeting for early March in Edinburgh.
Action: Secretariat
Summary of Action Points
1. Secretariat to supply list of academic papers and statistics on international criminal justice systems, and distribute hard copies.
2. Commission members to work on draft report on implementation of CSaW.
3. Secretariat to provide members with background material and presentation on CSaW.
4. Secretariat to provide briefing on function and purpose of the open estate.
5. Updated communications plan to be sent out regularly to commission members.
6. Secretariat to arrange venue and time for next Commission meeting.
Scottish Prisons Commission Secretariat
February 2008