The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1266 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 March 2023
Collette Stevenson
On that subject, I had a conversation with Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, HM chief inspector of prisons, and one of the things that we were talking about was alternative disposals and electronic monitoring and taking that a step further. I know that, in England and Wales, a sobriety cuff is used, but our conversation was more about tapping into technology, such as a device to monitor a person’s sleep or an electronic tag, which would not only make sure that the person was at home for a certain length of time, but alert them about when they should go and speak to their social worker. Have you come across anything like that? Was any work done on that?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
The response is interesting. It is almost as if the SCTS is saying, “We have tried it out so let’s move on.” However, we are looking at budget cuts and there are huge efficiencies to be made in virtual trials. In particular, prisoners could attend court virtually rather than the likes of GEOAmey having to be used so that they can attend.
There seems to be some push-back against having virtual trials. I made that observation on our visit to Glasgow sheriff court. There are a variety of reasons why we could have virtual trials. The police have to use up their rest days, but they could attend virtually and, in that way, they would not need to be replaced, depending on how long the trial lasts. There are a huge number of efficiencies to be made by carrying on with virtual trials, notwithstanding the impact on complainers.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
Would the inspectorate raise issues, if there are any, on a regular basis with each prison?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
I will just quickly ask one more question. Sorry, convener, but I will finish on this.
Will you consult on the review with the inspectorate and each of the prison monitors and seek feedback from them?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
Thank you.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
Is the inspectorate fairly comfortable with the policy in its current format?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
Does the policy in its current format meet with the standards of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
I have a comment rather than a request for further information. It is an observation on the report. The progress that has been made on in-cell telephony is a good news story. We will get regular updates on how it is being rolled out and its benefits, but any feedback on that would be very much welcome. It is a very good thing, and I congratulate the SPS on taking that forward.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 22 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
Thanks, and good morning. I want to look at the lessons learned review, which is currently under way. Have you considered looking at other countries that are outwith the UK for examples of good practice in the treatment of transgender prisoners and other vulnerable prisoners in prison estates?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 8 February 2023
Collette Stevenson
I am fairly okay in terms of the capital budget. I would like to get clarification on that, particularly in the light of the fact that HMP Greenock is a cause for concern, given what we have heard previously in evidence sessions. Apart from the capital spend, I am fairly comfortable with everything else.