The National Advisory Body (NAB) plays a significant role in achieving the vision of more effective offender management, aimed at reducing reoffending and building stronger, safer communities. The NAB was established following the publication of the Criminal Justice Plan (2004). Its purpose is to provide strategic advice to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on the management of the offenders in the criminal justice system.
The membership brings together expertise from a range of individuals and organisations involved in offender management and consists of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill (Chair) and a further 25 members, drawn from key government and external organisations, experts in the field and 2 public appointments.
Minutes of previous meetings are available below:
National Strategy for the Management of Offenders
The ministerial launch of Scotland's first National Strategy for the Management of Offenders took place on 23 May 2006. In her speech, the former Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson thanked the NAB members and other partners for their contribution made throughtout the development of the Strategy.
The aim of the Strategy is to reduce both the amount of reoffending and serious harm caused by those already known to the criminal justice system and a target has been set for a 2 per cent reduction in reconviction rates in all types of sentence by March 2008.
The Strategy provides a framework for CJAs in developing their area plans. The NAB will review the strategy in light of the progress of the CJAs and wider reforms to the criminal justice system.