Criminal Justice Committee
Minutes: 01 November 2023
Wednesday, 01 November 2023
27th Meeting, 2023
Minutes
1. Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill:
The Committee took evidence on parts 1 to 3 of the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Dr Caroline Bruce, Head of Programme, Transforming Psychological Trauma, NHS Education for Scotland;
Professor Thanos Karatzias, Professor of Mental Health, Edinburgh Napier University and Clinical & Health Psychologist, Rivers Centre for Traumatic Stress;
and then from—
Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal Policy and Engagement, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service;
Sue Brookes, Interim Director for Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement, Scottish Prison Service;
Chief Superintendent Derek Frew, Police Scotland;
David Fraser, Executive Director Court Operations, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service;
John Watt, Chairperson, Parole Board for Scotland.
2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny:
The Committee took evidence as part of its Pre-Budget Scrutiny from—
Karyn McCluskey, Chief Executive, Chris McCully, Head of Policy and Bill Fitzpatrick, Director of Operations, Community Justice Scotland.
3. Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill (In Private):
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the evidence heard under agenda item 1 to a future meeting.
4. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (In Private):
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the evidence heard under agenda item 2 to a future meeting.