Chamber and committees

Section 18 of the Criminal Justice & Licensing (CJ&L) (Scotland) Act 2010 allows for the implementation of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (CSAW) (Scotland) Act 2007, as modified in line with suggestions made by the McLeish Commission.

The Commission recommended that CSAW should be implemented only once certain essential criteria were met, for example, achievement of a reduction in the short term prisoner population.

The Scottish Government remains committed to ending automatic unconditional early release, when it is feasible to do so. Officials have been in discussion with a range of interests to determine how this can be done effectively in light of the unprecedented spending cuts passed down by the UK Government.

In 2011-12 the cost of maintaining the 1,000 additional officers is in the order of £32 million. It is estimated that this will rise annually in line with police pay progression during this parliamentary session.

No individual meetings have taken place with supporters clubs to date regarding the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill. However, a stakeholder engagement event on the Bill on 17 June 2011, was attended by representatives of a number of Supporters Trusts. Also in attendance were Supporters Direct Scotland who represent the interests of football supporters across the country.

The change to the timetable for this Bill being passed will allow for further evidence gathering and consultation to build consensus around this legislation. We will be seeking the views of football supporters during this period of engagement and consultation.

The Joint Action Group (JAG) has representation from the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the Scottish Premier League (SPL), the Scottish Football League (SFL), Rangers Football Club, Celtic Football Club and Strathclyde Police.

At the final JAG meeting before the start of the 2011-12 Season on 11 July 2011, it was agreed that the JAG will continue until the end of November with a focus on:

Informing the further development of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill;

Considering and agreeing measures to tackle unacceptable supporter conduct, and

Considering and agreeing campaigns and initiatives which can best use the positive influence of football to change negative behaviours and attitudes – in particular around violence, bigotry and alcohol misuse.

The JAG is committed to engaging formally with supporters, and with all SPL and SFL clubs, on these important issues during the next phase of their work.

On 25 February 2011, the Scottish Government announced a further £500,000 for No Knives Better Lives, doubling the funding for this important education initiative. This is to give further support to existing areas as well as roll it out to other communities in Scotland afflicted by knife crime.

There is no specific allocation per area as each campaign is tailored to local community needs and builds on work that is already existing. Our investment in each area is then maximised by local partners who also bring their time, resources and in-kind support to what are very localised campaigns.

I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

“The Scottish Prison Service is committed to reducing the introduction of all illicit drugs into prison establishments. If a visitor is caught attempting to introduce illicit drugs into an establishment, the visitor will be reported to the Police. The visitor may also be banned from visiting the establishment in the future, or provided with Closed Visits. The Governor in Charge has the final decision as to whether a visitor is banned from the establishment.”

I am meeting with stakeholders over the summer to discuss police reform, and will make an announcement on the next steps in the autumn.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of engaging with football supporters on this agenda. That is why, following the Football Summit in March, we provided further funding to Supporters Direct in Scotland to engage directly with football supporters to seek their views on how best to positively influence behaviours in and around football matches. This included a focus on tackling sectarian behaviours.

Supporters Direct used their extensive range of contacts with fans and supporters’ groups to establish four focus groups including female fans, younger fans, older, male fans and disabled fans. This direct engagement with supporters has helped to explore when unacceptable behaviour occurs and how best to positively influence behaviours exhibited both within and outwith the football stadium. This project also considered potential policy and practice implications for football clubs, football authorities and the Government.

The report of this project is currently in the process of being finalised and the final report will be shared with the Joint Action Group to inform the next phase of the work of this group.

The Scottish Government has announced its intention to introduce a Bill that will build on the progress that has already been made in enhancing victims’ rights and that will implement the requirements of the proposed Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council aimed at establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. Consideration is being given to additional measures that could be included in the planned Bill, including looking at developments in other jurisdictions, but no final decisions have been made.

The Scottish Government is monitoring implementation of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, which came into force on 1 December 2010, on an ongoing basis.

The Scottish Government also intends to introduce measures to ensure that judges will direct juries, when reaching their decision in rape trials, not to take into account any delay in reporting a rape or any apparent lack of resistance from the victim.