Many of the people on OLRS are unable to demonstrate their suitability for release, which can lead to fundamental breaches of their human rights.

Inordinately long waiting lists for rehabilitative programmes for OLR prisoners (and others) raise serious human rights issues which @HMIPS highlighted in its thematic review of progression.

RMA Guidelines say: ‘assessors should state clearly the limitations of making judgements about life course persistent risk in relation to children/young people’. Despite this, 38 OLRs have been handed out to under 25s, 13 to under 20s #NOLR #UNCRC #YouthJustice

The Scottish Prison Service is advertising a #vacancy for the Head of Research and Evaluation. I am not involved with this, but it is a key position/point of contact for independent academics and PhDs making research access requests with Scottish Prison Service. jobs.ac.uk/job/DMJ122/hea…

Sentence management is another poorly understood and often poorly implemented part of a prisoner's sentence.

A Call for Evidence has been launched by the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, doing the independent review in Scotland. This call is an important opportunity to share insights on Scottish Justice, including courts, prisons, community justice, and victim support. 🔗 below

With an increase of 60% in the last year, these are almost unbelievable findings. We should all be very grateful to Sarah Armstrong & Linda Allan for shining a light on something that Scottish Prison Service doesn't hold accurate data on and must address. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

An independent review into our Talk To Me suicide prevention strategy is now underway, led by Professors Graham Towl and David Crighton. Views are being sought from those who have experience and expertise in this area. More info: sps.gov.uk/about-us/our-l…

The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice has reviewed the determinations made by Sheriff Collins following the tragic death of Jack McKenzie. Sheriff Collins has identified seven recommendations to better protect all young people held in HMP&YOI Polmont. The findings

A prison officer's job is far from easy, but as Sheriff Collins stated in the FAI for 20 year old Jack McKenzie at HMP/YOI Polmont, “poor practice must be investigated and sanctioned, not ignored and therefore – apparently – condoned”. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

What has been the most worrying issue encountered by the CPT during its visits to prisons in 2024? 🚨 Overcrowding 🚨 The President of the #CPT shares his insights on the subject. 🔗More on the work of the CPT in 2024 : bit.ly/45RcuCD

Some unethical and faulty proposals pitched for electronic monitoring, surveillance, AI & prediction technologies in #prisons & #probation in England & Wales. That's where techno-utopianism leads. People in custody or under supervision have human rights. theguardian.com/society/2025/j…

Prison reform campaigners call for cap on Scottish prison population scottishlegal.com/articles/priso…

Today is the first anniversary of UNCRC incorporation into Scots law. Having children’s rights in law is a huge milestone but it’s just one step. We’ll keep holding people in power to account so every child in Scotland can have their rights respected, protected, and fulfilled.

The Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission have published a new short primer paper 👇 🔗 It highlights key issues facing Scotland's Justice system, with a focus on the prison population. #Sentencing #Law #CriminalJustice #Prison #CommunityJustice #Victims gov.scot/publications/s…

We are inviting people with lived experience of the justice system (community sentencing, bail or remand, or being in prison) to take part in small, informal group discussions this August. What you share will help shape how prison and community sentences are used in Scotland.

We collaborated with Parkhead Citizens Advice Bureau to develop the guide “Your Rights Under the Scottish Prison Rules”, as part of our wider work on access to justice for prisoners. Read it now on the SPS website: ow.ly/PZgo50WxU81

👏Children should never be punished for their parents' actions.

We can sometimes be quite critical of ⁦Scottish Prison Service⁩ use of the phrase “complex population”, but this includes some good explanations of how difficult things are to manage when the overall prison population is so high. bbc.com/news/articles/…