Chamber and committees

Thematic priorities

The Committee has agreed six strategic themes to guide its scrutiny activity throughout Session 7. These themes are intended to provide a framework for the Committee to consider legislation and inquiry work during the parliamentary session. The themes will be kept under review and revised as required to ensure they continue to reflect emerging issues and priorities within the justice sector.

The Committee agreed the following themes:

Prison reform and sentencing

• Prison conditions and rehabilitation
• Prison population pressures and remand
• Sentencing policy and alternatives to custody
• Throughcare and reintegration

Community justice

• Community-based justice and alternatives to custody
• Reducing reoffending
• What effective and proportionate justice looks like for individuals and communities
• Community safety and confidence

Prevention and rehabilitation of offenders

• Early intervention and prevention
• Rehabilitation and reducing reoffending
• Joined-up working across public services
• Long-term outcomes and public safety

Victims, survivors, safety and access to justice

• Supporting victims, survivors and witnesses
• Access to justice and information
• Protection from harm
• Improving experiences and outcomes within the justice system

Policing

• Police Scotland governance and accountability
• Local policing and community confidence
• Consistency of policing across Scotland
• Resourcing, wellbeing and operational pressures

Fire and rescue services, community safety and resilience

• Governance and performance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Community safety and prevention
• Emergency preparedness and resilience
• Service sustainability, including workforce, funding and infrastructure

Planned scrutiny work

Alongside its scrutiny of legislation and other business referred to it, the Criminal Justice Committee has agreed a programme of proactive scrutiny work for the period from late 2026 to the end of 2027.

The Committee's work programme will remain flexible and responsive, and it expects a significant volume of referred legislative scrutiny. Therefore the scope, timing and volume of proactive scrutiny undertaken by the Committee may evolve during the session in response to emerging priorities and the demands of legislative scrutiny.

The Committee has agreed the following early priorities for proactive scrutiny:

Crime and anti-social behaviour involving e-bikes and e-scooters

The Committee will examine concerns relating to the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in criminality and anti-social behaviour, including the impact on communities, policing challenges and public safety. Initial work is expected to begin towards the end of 2026.

Artificial intelligence, deepfakes and image-based abuse

The Committee will explore the impact of emerging technologies, including AI-generated deepfake imagery and other forms of image-based abuse. This work will consider the implications for victims, law enforcement agencies and the wider justice system. Initial work is expected to begin towards the end of 2026.

Police Scotland governance and local accountability

The Committee will undertake scrutiny of governance and accountability arrangements within Police Scotland, including leadership structures, decision-making arrangements and the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms.

Remand, bail and court decision-making

The Committee will examine the use of remand and bail within Scotland's criminal justice system, including the factors influencing decision-making, impacts on prison populations and broader issues relating to public confidence, fairness and public protection.