Question reference: S6W-03356
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 28 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 8 October 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement in its Programme for Government, whether it will provide further details of its planned legislation to "change the way imprisonment is used".
Answer
As noted in the Programme for Government, we intend to consult shortly on proposed reforms to the law relating to bail and release from custody. Public protection and victims’ safety are at the heart of our proposals for reform, which focus on reduce reoffending and associated victimisation.
In relation to bail, we will be consulting on proposals to refocus how remand is used, especially for those who pose little or no risk to public safety. With regards to release from custody, we intend to consult on reforms to support release arrangements, with a focus on enabling reintegration into the community.
The responses to this consultation will inform a year 1 bill.