Minutes: 15 September 2021

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] and the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] from—

Ash Denham, Minister for Community Safety

3. Subordinate legislation:

Ash Denham (Minister for Community Safety) moved—

S6M-00926—That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] be approved.

S6M-00931—That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] be approved.

The motions were agreed to.

4. Prisons and prison policy:

The Committee took evidence in a round-table discussion from—

Alan Staff, Chief Executive, Apex Scotland;

Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner;

Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland;

Dr Katrina Morrison, Howard League Scotland Committee Secretary, Howard League Scotland;

John Watt, Chair, Parole Board for Scotland;

Phil Fairlie, Assistant General Secretary of the POA in Scotland, Prison Officers Association;

Professor Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology and Social Work, University of Glasgow, Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research;

Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive and Allister Purdie, Interim Director of Operations, Scottish Prison Service .

Russell Findlay indicated that he has submitted objections to the Parole Board for Scotland in relation to the release of a prisoner.

5. Reducing youth offending, offering community justice solutions and alternatives to custody:

The Committee took evidence in a round-table discussion from—

Ashley Cameron, The Promise Scotland Oversight Board member, The Care Review;

Professor Lesley McAra, University of Edinburgh;

Dr Hannah Graham, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of Stirling;

Fiona Dyer, Interim Director, Children’s and Young People’s Centre for Justice;

Gemma Fraser, Senior Reporting Officer Recovery, Renewal & Transform, Community Justice Scotland;

Niven Rennie, Director, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit;

Diane Dobbie, Justice Standing Committee, Social Work Scotland;

Superintendent Colin Convery, Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing, Police Scotland.

6. Evidence Sessions (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda items 4 and 5.