The Scottish Parliament

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S7W-03387

Asked by: Amanda Bland, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of reports of unsatisfactory outcomes across the justice system, including whether these factors are operational or system-wide in nature.

The Scottish Government draws on a range of evidence to inform its understanding of outcomes across the justice system, including: official statistics, research, inspection findings, stakeholder engagement, lived experience and feedback from those who interact with justice services, as well as information provided by justice agencies.

We recognise that outcomes and experiences are not always as they should be. In some cases, the causes may be operational and relate to the delivery of services by individual organisations. In others they may reflect wider pressures and broader challenges across the system.

That is why we work with justice partners to both identify and address specific issues where they arise; and to collaborate with them to pursue the system-wide reform needed to deliver a more efficient, person-centred and trauma-informed justice system.

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Question reference: S7W-03387

Answer