2026-27 Business Plan Published
The RMA has been Making Scotland Safer for two decades. In this time, we’ve developed standards of practice and delivered improvements to how risk of serious harm is assessed and managed in Scotland.
We’re pleased to publish our Business Plan for 2026-27 which outlines how we will continue to support the Vision for Justice and contribute to the National Performance Framework outcomes, upholding human rights, fairness, and supporting Scotland’s place in the justice landscape. Read on to find out about some of our principal objectives this year.
To develop evidence-based risk assessment and management
Understanding the complexities of individuals who are sentenced to the Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) is important so that treatment is appropriate. Building on our previous studies, Psychopathy and the OLR (2025), Initial Insights into Experiences of Release (2023), Community Integration and Recall (2023), and The Offending Behaviour of those Sentenced to the OLR (2022), this year we’re conducting research considering responsivity needs, offending behaviour and adverse childhood experiences of individuals within the OLR population. This work is designed to improve the tailoring of treatment and approaches to progression, balancing human rights considerations and public protection requirements.
To set and raise the standard of risk assessment and management
Our Statutory Functions to oversee the administration of the OLR extends into our strategic work with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to assure standards of risk management are met and plans are implemented for those subject to the OLR. Given the challenges faced by our colleagues across justice by the increasing prison population, our work to monitor progress and make sure standards are met has become more vital than ever.
To improve knowledge, skills and confidence in risk assessment and management
We are proud that our training provision consistently receives positive feedback and supports our colleagues in justice to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence. To widen our offering, this year we are developing and launching an online learning platform, delivering on-demand training for colleagues across the country.
To influence policy, practice and public confidence in risk assessment and management
Following on from our successful 20th Anniversary Event in 2025, we are pleased to begin preparations for an RMA Conference in Autumn 2027, bringing together justice colleagues to share knowledge and expertise to inform improvements to risk assessment and management.
Guests at RMA 20th Anniversary Event, Photography by Eoin Carey
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