The Prisons & Penal Crisis: What Should be Done?

Scotland incarcerates a higher proportion of its population than almost anywhere else in Western Europe. Our prisons are desperately overcrowded and struggle to carry out the meaningful work needed to reduce reoffending. Despite three recent, (and contentious), tranches of emergency release from Pr*son, unsustainable rates of imprisonment look set to increase.

• What, if anything, can and should be done?
• Is our use of imprisonment too high?
• Should we simply build more prisons?
• Or should we change course? If so, how?

The recent independent Sentencing & Penal Policy Commission has just published its 146-page report proposing radical changes impacting the work of the entire criminal justice system including: Prosecution; the Courts, Sentencing, Community Supervision, Imprisonment and Release, Adult and Youth Justice; as well as suggesting ways to boost flagging public confidence.

Join us to learn out about the Commission’s recommendations and then put your questions to them.

Lead Speakers will include members of the Commission:

• Martyn Evans, Chair of the Commission and former Chair of the Scottish Police Authority
• Sheriff David Mackie
• Dr Hannah Graham, University of Stirling
• Lynsey Smith, Joint Chair of the Social Work Scotland Justice Standing Committee

The session will include a facilitated Q&A, an excellent opportunity for attendees to pose their questions to the panel.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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