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As a result of the pandemic, we have seen the establishment of online juries and so on. How has that been, financially? Has that involved more of a cost? You touched on digital technology in your submission. How is that developing? Where do you stand financially in terms of initial outlay versus potential savings?

I touch again on the call from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland to review purposeful activity, including her expectation that additional resources are needed in that regard. You have touched on the challenges that you have faced from absenteeism. What are your thoughts on that? Where are you headed on that issue?

Key to that is delivering a more modern approach, with a prison estate that offers job opportunities for progression. I know that HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland is keen to review the offending behaviour programmes as well.

From a human rights perspective, too, under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, purposeful activity is key. What is happening in that regard? Can you give me more detail?

I am delighted to hear that you want to move towards a more modern approach. Can you tell me a wee bit more about the amounts that are in the budget to resource that?

I believe that in one of its reports Audit Scotland highlighted the question of your long-term strategic plans. Do you have a report outlining what those plans might be and, if not, when will it be available?

I believe that a review was carried out by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, as well as by the inspectorate, on secure care for children. It is looking at the long-term strategic view. Gerry, I understand that you have only been in post for a short time, but the issue is not new and it has been raised before in the SPS. Have any reserves been put in place or adjustments been made to the budget due to the potential change in policy?

Do you know roughly how many people in that age group are held at Polmont?

I will try to be as succinct as possible, convener.

Good morning. Full-time equivalent staff numbers have increased over the years—from your submission, I believe that the figure stands at 2,000—but what difference, if any, has that increase made to your service? Has it made a significant difference? Moreover, given the pinchpoints and challenges with case load that have been mentioned, will the Crown Office need further real-terms funding increases in next year’s budget to cover staff costs?

I thank the witnesses. The evidence that you have provided so far has been powerful, and I take my hat off to each of you.

I want to talk about the person-centred approach for people going through recovery. I have experience as a family member of someone who has experienced something similar to what you have spoken about. There was guilt and stigma in going through all that. The advice that we got was that we were only feeding their habit and that we had to wait until they had hit rock bottom. When I reflect on that now and see the work that places such as the Beacons in South Lanarkshire are doing, I see that that advice was totally wrong. Have you seen a shift in the approach, so that person-centred support is put in place, as well as support for the family? Arguably, most families are pretty scared when it comes to stuff such as this. I would be keen to know whether you have seen a change.

Mr McGeehan, I want to draw out more from you on what you were saying about prosecutions and diversion.

A pilot scheme for structured deferred sentencing was run in, I think, 2019 in Hamilton sheriff court. It was specifically aimed at women who were going through the justice system, as well as young people who were involved in low-level offending. You have talked about what is at your disposal in terms of sentencing and diversion. How well has that option been used? How effective has it been throughout the courts, and could we do better?

Peter, do you have any comments?