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 804 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
Yes, please.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
We are short of time, and it is a question about defence agents. You have explained in great detail what your organisation does, but the other side of it is the defence agents. If you do not feel that you can respond or it is not politic for you to respond—
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
We are talking about all criminal cases. Would you look at that in the context of all criminal cases and your extensive experience?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
Is there trauma-informed training now for all those who sit in judgment in criminal courts, whether that is a justice of the peace court or any other? Could you provide a brief answer on that?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
I know that, yes, but we do not have them here and you might be the nearest person who has an understanding. [Laughter.]
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
Thank you very much.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
Are you saying that the Scottish Government needs to put its money where its mouth is?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
My questions were going to be similar to John Swinney’s, so I will take forward that point about the disconnect between stated policy and reality on the ground. According to the Scottish Parliament information centre, the community justice budget is flat in real terms. You will know that this committee spent a considerable amount of the past year looking at the bail legislation that is coming through. It is clear from Angela Constance that the Scottish Government’s long-term strategy is to shift towards more community justice disposals as an attempt to reduce prison numbers or even keep prison numbers where they are, because the direction of travel is up, as we know.
Surely it is the politicians and the Government who drive change. Who else can possibly drive change if not the politicians who are put there to do it? Who else in the system is in a position to do that? What discussions have you as an organisation had with ministers about what they expect from you? If the money that the sector gets does not increase, are you being asked to do more? Is that being made explicit to you? Surely the courts will use community justice disposals only if they are there. Is that not the major factor that determines that our prison numbers continue to go up and, from what you say, that the sector is shrinking rather than expanding? Is that fair?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 1 November 2023
Katy Clark
If those alternatives were available in every part of the country, would they be used by the courts?
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Meeting date: 26 October 2023
Katy Clark
You have explained that, cabinet secretary. You have made very clear the differences in the system, but—