Yes, I do. I thank the committee for the opportunity to provide evidence today. I agree with what my colleague Colin McConnell said about the importance of the issues that we are examining, and I welcome the committee’s consideration of them.
The Scottish Government’s priorities for justice in Scotland include using prison
“only where necessary to address offending or to protect public safety, focusing on recovery and reintegration”.
Scotland’s prisons face a number of significant challenges that Audit Scotland sets out clearly in its section 22 report. Many of those challenges are a consequence of the rapid increase in the prison population that began in 2018. That increase was not readily predictable and came after a number of years in which the prison population fell.
In comparison with a decade ago, far fewer people now receive custodial sentences each year, there are fewer short-term sentences and fewer people are convicted of crime that requires a life sentence. However, on average, those who go on to custody will receive longer sentences and spend a longer time in custody before being approved for release.
The profile of those in custody is also changing: there are increasing numbers of sex offenders, people with backgrounds in serious and organised crime and people who require support with mental health, substance misuse and physical and social care. Our prisons also face security challenges in identifying the ever-changing varieties of psychoactive drugs.
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice has acknowledged those challenges and committed to taking the action that is necessary to address them. Part of the solution involves building on the strengths that our prisons have. I highlight that both the current and previous holders of the role of chief inspector of prisons for Scotland have noted that, in general, our prisons are well ordered and well run, and they have commended the dedication and commitment of front-line prison staff working with those in their care.
Responding to the challenges in our prisons requires additional investment. During the current year, the Scottish ministers have made available additional funding to ensure that the SPS can respond to immediate budget pressures. Ministers have also agreed a multiyear pay deal for staff. In addition, they have committed to making a further substantial investment in modernising the prisons estate, including the new female estate and a replacement for HM Prison Barlinnie.
The solutions to the challenges that the Auditor General highlighted require collaborative leadership and sustained long-term commitment across the justice system, in the Parliament and among public services more widely. In our letter to the committee, we outline the range of actions that we are taking to deliver that change, with a particular focus on strengthening community justice services. We are happy to respond to any questions that the committee has.