RMA welcomes publication of the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission Report
The Risk Management Authority welcomes the publication of Justice That Works: Report of the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission.
The report makes wide-ranging recommendations for whole-system reform with the aim of improving public safety and achieving a sustainable prison population through maximising the use of community disposals and alternatives to court proceedings, and increasing investment in support, rehabilitation, and early intervention. We thank the Commission for the opportunity to respond to its call for evidence last year, and we are pleased to see that the importance of the RMA’s work related to setting and raising standards has been recognised in the report. There are, however, some proposals that require further scrutiny to ensure that decisions about sentencing and release from custody are risk-based, and evidence-led. We look forward to working with our justice partners to consider the Commission’s recommendations in detail, and supporting justice reforms that make Scotland safer.