As part of its ongoing inquiry into the use of remand in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee visited Circle Scotland in West Pilton yesterday.
Circle works with deprived communities across central Scotland. Their aim is to support the most disadvantaged children and families to improve their lives. In relation to criminal justice, they offer three main services that may impact the use of remand. These are:
Families Affected by Imprisonment (FABI)
This service supports fathers in Addiewell Prison, West Lothian, preparing for release.
Women’s Outreach Team
This service is for women who have been given an alternative to custody and have children under the age of 18.
Shine Women’s Mentoring Service
This service is available to all adult females who are:
- currently serving a custodial sentence in Scotland of less than four years and not subject to a statutory order or;
- on remand or;
- subject to a Community Payback Order
Speaking about the visit, Justice Committee Deputy Convener Rona Mackay MSP (above), said: “Politicians considering complex issues need to be sure to hear the voices of people on the ground. We have heard gripping evidence today on our visit. We will consider this along with the testimony we have taken from a wide range of people working in the criminal justice system.
“Although the Committee has yet to produce its final report, it has heard that there are problems with the way remand is being used. In some circumstances remand may be causing more problems than it solves.”
Remand is the practice of keeping an individual in custody as they await trial or sentencing.
Remand remains at high levels in Scotland. Prisoners held on remand account for around 19% of the prison population. Around half of all those held on remand go on to receive non-custodial sentences, and the median remand period in Scotland is over 20 days for both men and women. This can be disruptive to people’s lives, and can have knock on impacts on employment, benefits and their families.
Justice Committee members on the visit were:
Deputy Convener: Rona Mackay (SNP, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)
George Adam MSP (SNP, Paisley)
Maurice Corry MSP (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, West Scotland)
John Finnie MSP (Scottish Green Party, Highlands and Islands)
Mairi Gougeon MSP (SNP, Angus North and Mearns)
Daniel Johnson MSP (Scottish Labour, Edinburgh Southern)
Liam Kerr MSP (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, North East Scotland)
Ben Macpherson MSP (SNP, Edinburgh Northern and Leith); (pictured above)
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