Scottish Prisons Commission Meeting
2nd Meeting: 6 December 2007, Apex Hotel, Dundee
Attendees: Henry McLeish (Chair)
Chief Constable David Strang
Josephine McLean
Sheriff Alistair Duff
Dr Karin Dotter-Schiller
Richard Jeffrey
Lesley Riddoch
Jim Kerr, Scottish Prisons Service
Annette Sharp, Secretary, Prisons Commission
Iain Harron, Prisons Commission Secretariat
Joe Church, Prisons Commission Secretariat
Apologies: Geraldine Gammell.
Welcome and Introductions
1. The Chair thanked the members for attending and welcomed those attending for the first time.
Update on Progress
2. Members discussed the evidence which had been provided from existing research in the field which pinpointed the variance in international prison population trends. Before the Commission agreed to undertake any international visits it was acknowledged that more comparisons regarding the operation of different penal systems used in certain countries was required in order to help inform members as to what jurisdictions they would wish to visit.
3. Members were updated on the progress made with producing a website for the Commission. Discussion took place regarding how best to utilise the site to engage best with the public.
4. The secretariat confirmed that they had met with Audit Scotland who are compiling a report on 'Managing Increasing Prison Numbers in Scotland'. This report is primarily resource focussed and Audit Scotland have agreed to share a draft with the Commission prior to its publication in March.
Reports on Community Sentencing
5. Members were informed that in the foreword of the "Report of the Review of Community Penalties" the Cabinet Secretary for Justice states that he hopes the Prisons Commission takes the issues raised in the report into account as it forms its recommendations.
6. Detailed discussion took place surrounding how community sentences are currently used by Sheriffs.
Work Plan
7. Members discussed and agreed the list of organisations they would like to hear evidence from.
8. It was explained that SPS would be coordinating any prison visits (including discussions with governors/prisoners) which the Commission were interested in undertaking throughout the Scottish prison estate.
9. There was agreement from members that any visits to other jurisdictions would be dependent on the further evidence regarding international comparisons.
10. Members were informed that the Commission on English Prisons Today were visiting Scotland in February and were keen to meet members of the SPC.
Scottish Prisons Commission Secretariat
December 2007