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Proposals focus on prevention, reducing reoffending and strengthening community justice

Proposed reforms to ease the high prison population, support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and improve public safety have been published for public consultation.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray told Parliament that despite a range of measures taken to reduce numbers and maximise capacity, the prison population is at a critical level and is projected to rise further.

He said further action is necessary to ensure prisons can function safely and effectively, allowing prison staff and others to focus resources on prevention and rehabilitation, helping to reduce reoffending and keeping communities safe.

The plans, which are subject to an eight-week consultation, set out proposed changes to community justice and supervision of long term prisoners on release, with public safety remaining paramount. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with victims’ organisations throughout the process.

The proposals build on the recommendations of the independent Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission and include:

• extending the presumption against short sentences from 12 to 24 months
• amending the definition of a short-term prisoner from those serving less than four years to those serving less than five years, more closely aligning with sheriffs’ sentencing powers in solemn cases
• making Community Payback Orders more flexible and effective as a robust alternative to short custodial periods
• strengthening the bail test in courts to ensure that remand is used proportionately and is focused on protecting public safety
• amending release arrangements for some long-term prisoners so they serve a greater portion of their sentence under supervision and licence conditions in the community

As well as the measures outlined in the consultation, work is underway to rapidly develop plans to expand the prison estate, including through consideration of temporary modular accommodation and new houseblocks at existing prison sites.

There will also be continued expansion of the use of Home Detention Curfew and a pilot where GPS-tracking technology is used to monitor individuals on bail curfew as an alternative to being remanded in custody ahead of trial or sentencing, where it is safe to do so.  

The Justice Secretary highlighted evidence that community-based sentences and interventions are more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences – which can lead to the loss of employment, housing and family access that might otherwise provide stability for those at risk of re-offending.

Mr Gray said: “Protecting victims and the public is my top priority, and I am clear that prison will always be necessary.

“It is absolutely crucial, however, that our prisons function safely and effectively. If not, rehabilitation breaks down, reoffending rises and more people become victims. With the sustained population pressures we have seen over recent years, that is the reality we are facing, and that is why we must act.

“The planned reforms build on the recommendations of the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, which recognise that Scotland must rethink its approach to community sentencing and imprisonment.

“Alongside expansion of the prison estate, they will strike the right balance across custodial sentences, community sentencing and the need to robustly protect victims and the public – ensuring prisons house those who pose the greatest risk and rehabilitate them effectively, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime.

“We will consult on our proposals over the summer and engage with victims’ organisations throughout the consultation process and beyond.

“Clearly the best way to tackle the prison population is by stopping crime happening in the first place, which is why we will continue our preventative work to intervene early to steer people away from crime, with a focus on addiction, health, poverty, homelessness and employability, which are all significant contributing factors to offending and reoffending.”

Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population: Justice Secretary’s speech

Penal Reform: working towards a sustainable prison population

WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 9.30 – 12pm & 1 – 2pm

Come Along and Find Out More About PEP!

Looking for ways to connect with your community, improve your wellbeing, or get involved locally?

Join us at North Edinburgh Arts and discover the range of support and opportunities available through PEP.

North Edinburgh Arts

12C Macmillan Cres, Edinburgh EH4 4AB

Wednesday 1st July 2026

9:30am – 12:00pm

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Find out more about:

Wellbeing Groups (Monday to Saturday)

Volunteering Opportunities

Transport Services

Community Sharing Shelf

Whether you’re looking to meet new people, access local support, or give back to your community, we’d love to meet you.

A huge Thank you to North Edinburgh Arts for hosting us.

#PiltonEqualitiesProject

#PEP

#NorthEdinburgh

#CommunitySupport

#Wellbeing

#Volunteering

#CommunityConnections

#EdinburghEvents

#HelpingPeopleToParticipate

#InclusionForAll

The sun’s rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm. Try to limit the amount of time you’re outside or directly in the sun during this window.

Find out how to take care of yourself this summer:

http://ready.campaign.gov.scot/hot-weather

The Leith Legends (aged 60-95) who virtually walked the 3,070-mile distance from Edinburgh to Boston have returned to their starting point at Easter Road Stadium.

Since January the group have been recording their distance walked at locations around the city, attempting to virtually reach Boston before Scotland’s first game at the FIFA World Cup. The group walked their final mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament Building on Thursday 11 June.

The Leith Legends have received hundreds of messages of support from people in Scotland and around the world after completing their ‘March to the Match’ the same day that thousands of football fans flew to Boston.

In recognition of their achievement, the group were invited to a reception at Easter Road Stadium, greeted by a bagpiper as they disembarked from their team bus. The celebration was made more special when the Leith Legends met Hibernian legend John “Yogi” Hughes, who presented them with certificates.

“What an effort by the Leith Legends!” said Yogi. “It’s truly a remarkable achievement to have virtually walked all the way to Boston, and I know people at home and over watching in the States will be incredibly proud of them.

I miss playing football, I miss it every day. But what I miss most about football is the friendship, the band of brothers, the sense of purpose, getting up in the morning, and being a leader. Having met a few of the Leith Legends today and in the last few months, I’ve seen all of these things. Well done on a fantastic achievement.”

John Hughes was recently announced as an ambassador for the Hibernian Community Foundation, the official charity of Hibernian FC, and in his role will support at events across Edinburgh and Scotland, championing the services, programmes, and achievements of HCF and its many partners.

Maureen Combe who leads the Sheltered Housing Team at Harbour Homes said: “The enthusiasm and team spirit that our tenants have brought to this challenge is what made it so special.

“They lived up to the name of ‘Leith Legends’ and brought a smile to hundreds if not thousands of people who followed the story of their final mile.”

In completing the challenge, the Leith Legends walked a combined distance of just over 3,070 miles in 140 days, at a pace of around 22 miles per day. This equates to a combined total of 17,048,303 steps taken by the group.  

Following a series of incidents across Edinburgh on 19 June, the Capital’s Lord Provost has called for the city to unite against hatred:

Speaking at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday, 25 June, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “We recently saw a horrific attack on five of our fellow Edinburgh citizens. We were all shocked and stunned that such an attack should happen in this safe, welcoming and inclusive city.

“Edinburgh is very proud to be home to many faiths which we respect. Our rich diversity is what makes the city so special and our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.

“There is no place in our city for islamophobia, nor will we tolerate any other form of discrimination, and I know that all my colleagues across the Council chamber believe that.

“An attack on any one of us is an attack on us all, so let us unite against those who seek to create division and hatred and show that as a city we stand together with all of our communities.”

PARENTS GET HELPING HAND WITH THOUSANDS OF FREE SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP PLACES UP FOR GRABS

•  Kellogg’s Football Camps are BACK for 2026, helping thousands of kids stay active, while relieving pressure from parents nationwide
• Camps are set to return as half of parents (50%) say they are stressed at the thought of the summer holiday ‘juggle’, with almost a fifth (17%) even resorting to taking sick leave due to limited childcare options during the holidays* 
• Kellogg’s is offering over 39,000 FREE spots at 73 football clubs** nationwide – parents simply need to buy a box of Kellogg’s cereal and use the on-pack QR code to sign up at www.kelloggsfc.com

After delivering over 80,000 camp days during last year’s summer holidays. Kellogg’s Football Camps are returning for a third consecutive year. Delivered in partnership with the EFL, Manchester City, Celtic FC and Rangers FC, over 39,000 free spots are on offer, giving families across the UK extra support during the busiest and most expensive weeks of the school break. 

The camps return as new research from the cereal giant highlights just how challenging the school holidays have become for families. Half of parents (50%) say they are stressed at the thought of balancing work and childcare during the summer break, as 41% struggle to keep children entertained. Almost a fifth (17%) admit they’ve even resorted to taking sick leave due to limited childcare options.*

Parents say the summer holiday turns them into multi-tasking superheroes, taking on an average of four different roles to keep their children occupied – with 49% acting as ‘entertainers’, alongside roles such as ‘chef’ (42%), ‘referee’ between siblings (24%) and even ‘sports coach’ (18%). This comes as children say “I’m bored” an average of 14 times a week during the summer break, adding to the pressure on parents to constantly find ways to keep them engaged.*

Almost all parents (94%) say it’s important their child stays active during the summer holidays, with football cited as helping to improve children’s teamwork skills (63%) and confidence (59%). Yet there’s a clear gap between intention and reality, as 47% of parents say their children are less physically active during the holidays, and 68% say they spend more time on screens.*

Kellogg’s Football Camps offer a solution, giving children the chance to get active, make friends, step away from screens and learn new skills in sessions led by FA-qualified coaches. This is all while providing parents with a little extra support during the busiest weeks of the summer.

With over 39,000 freespots up for grabs nationwide, parents simply need to buy a box of Kellogg’s cereal and use the on-pack QR code to sign up at:

www.kelloggsfc.com.

In addition, Kellogg’s research also highlights the financial strain facing families, with 34% of parents saying the cost of activities is one of their biggest challenges*, reinforcing the need for more accessible options during the summer.

The camps will return from 27th June for girls and boys aged 5-15. Taking place across 73 clubs across the UK, spanning everywhere from Doncaster and Swansea to London and Glasgow. Last year alone, over 16,000 hours of coaching was delivered – the equivalent of more than 650 full days of football.

With a huge summer of football on the horizon, the camps also arrive at a time when interest in the sport is set to surge. 54% of parents say major sporting events such as the World Cup inspire their children to get involved in sport* – something Kellogg’s aims to turn into real opportunities for kids to get active, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of the game through its Football Camps.

Dean O’Brien UK General Manager, Kellogg’s said: “We’re proud to bring Kellogg’s Football Camps back for a third year, helping parents during the school holidays and giving children the chance to stay active.

“Our goal is to make camps more accessible, especially for families who might otherwise miss out. Working closely with club charities across the country helps us ensure the camps are open to everyone, inclusive and able to deliver real impact.” 

EFL Director of Community, Debbie Cook, said: “Supporting communities is fundamental to the EFL’s purpose. Our Clubs are deeply rooted in their towns and cities, serving as trusted local institutions that bring people together and create opportunities far beyond the pitch.

“Our partnership with Kellogg’s helps us extend that impact even further, once again giving thousands of young people the chance to stay active and grow in confidence. These camps don’t just keep children entertained – they bring communities together, offer vital support to families during the busy school holidays, and showcase the important role Clubs play.”

For a free place, parents can sign up by purchasing a participating Kellogg’s cereal box and scanning the on-pack QR code or visiting www.kelloggsfc.com.

Heading down to the beach, loch or river with your pals?

Look after yourself and your mates in the water to make sun-filled memories.

Learn about Cold water shock following the link in the first comment.

#DrowningPrevention

One third of Britain’s workplaces do not have staff with the necessary mediation skills to resolve a workplace conflict, according to a new survey.

The Acas survey, carried out by YouGov, found that 33% of workers thought that their organisation did not have people with the necessary mediation skills to resolve a workplace conflict, with the figure rising to 40% for SMEs.

Mediation is a way of mending relationships when there is a disagreement at work, and looks at how people can work together. It is held by an impartial mediator who does not take sides, and is a less formal, flexible and voluntary way of resolving disagreements.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 has introduced significant changes to workers’ rights, and provides an opportunity for employers and workers to work together to help organisations thrive and improve working lives.

Acas is encouraging employers and workers to work together to raise standards of workplace relations and help prevent and manage potential disputes.

Kevin Rowan, Acas Director of Dispute Resolution, said: “Mediation can be great way of preventing and managing disputes informally without the need for potentially expensive formal action.

“It is not about judging who is wrong or who is right; it is about bringing people in a disagreement together to agree on a way of working together.

“Mediation is a valuable skill, but our survey shows that too few workers are confident their organisation has the skills to use it in a disagreement. We encourage employers to make sure their managers have the confidence and skill to mediate successfully.”

Mediation can be used to resolve disagreements around relationships at work. It might be used to resolve personality clashes or relationship breakdowns, or bullying and harassment. It is not generally used to resolve things like pay disputes or issues related to dismissal or serious misconduct.

It is a voluntary and confidential process, and the mediator will agree with everyone what information can be shared. If you do not reach an agreement, anything that’s said is kept confidential.

Mediation can help avoid stress, manage disagreements and avoid formal procedures like an employment tribunal. The outcome is decided by everyone involved and can be flexible.

The UK Mediation Conference, on 30th June 2026 in London, aims to equip managers with the key conflict resolution skills, including

• Managing difficult conversations 
• Preventing escalation 
• Handling sensitive disputes inclusively and effectively.

Acas National

https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-rights-act-2025