A report by a committee of MSPs said that the sentencing of women with mental health problems and their treatment by the criminal justice system should be re-examined. More action needed to be taken by the Scottish Government and other public bodies to prevent reoffending by female offenders, by fully addressing their needs and individual circumstances.
Source: Female Offenders in the Criminal Justice System, 3rd Report 2009, SP Paper 332, Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Nov
A report examined the effectiveness of restorative justice practice in Scotland. Restorative justice was increasingly seen as a highly effective tool in cutting reoffending and reassuring victims.
Source: National Evaluation of Restorative Justice Youth Services in Scotland 2008-2009, Viewpoint Organisation
Links: Report | New Start report
Date: 2009-Nov
The Scottish Government published a Bill designed to help reduce the cost of alcohol misuse to Scotland's public services and economy. The Bill's key proposals included: a minimum price per unit of alcohol; a ban on irresponsible off-sales promotions; a duty on licensing boards to consider raising the off-sales purchase age to 21 where appropriate; and a power to introduce a 'social responsibility fee' on some retailers to offset the costs of dealing with drink problems.
Source: Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | SG press release | BBC report | Scotsman report
Date: 2009-Nov
The Scottish Parliament approved a Bill to extend hate crime laws to cover disabled people and those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual communities.
Source: Patrick Harvie MSP, Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill, TSO, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283) | Scottish Parliament Official Report, Debate 3 June 2009, columns 18098-18126, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | MSP debate | SG press release | SAMH press release | Capability Scotland press release
Date: 2009-Jun
A blueprint outlined ways in which the Scottish Government, local authorities, and key support agencies would work together to tackle all forms of violence against women.
Source: Safer Lives, Changed Lives: A shared approach to tackling violence against women in Scotland, Scottish Government (web publication only) and COSLA
Links: Report | SG press release
Date: 2009-Jun
The Scottish Parliament approved a Bill to reform the law on rape and sexual offences, based on proposals from the Scottish Law Commission. For the first time it defined 'consent' in law, and replaced the common law offence of rape with a broader statutory offence (including male rape). It introduced new statutory offences dealing with sexual exposure, particularly in non-public places; the 'spiking' of drinks for sexual purposes; and coercive sexual conduct, including sexually offensive emails or texts.
Source: Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government, TSO, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283) | Scottish Parliament Official Report, Debate 10 June 2009, columns 18165-18219, TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | Official Report | SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Jun
The prisons inspectorate for Scotland examined conditions for young offenders held in adult establishments. Those for young men were good: but young women were held alongside adult female offenders, with facilities and food that were poor.
Source: Report on Young Offenders in Adult Establishments, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland/Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report | SG press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Mar
The police service inspectorate in Scotland examined the use of public consultation by Scottish police forces when setting their strategic priorities.
Source: Strategic Priority Setting in Scottish Forces: Consulting the public, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (0131 244 5614)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Mar
A committee of MSPs said that it supported proposals for strengthened legislation to protect victims of hate crime. The Bill concerned was subsequently approved in principle by the Scottish Parliament.
Source: Stage 1 Report on the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill, 6th Report 2009, SP Paper 225, Scottish Parliament Justice Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283) | Scottish Parliament Official Report March 2009, columns 15871-15908, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Official Report | BBC report
Date: 2009-Mar
The Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities published a joint framework for tackling antisocial behaviour. It said that prevention and early and effective intervention should be at the heart of approaches to tackle antisocial behaviour. The causes of antisocial behaviour – such as drink, drugs, and deprivation – needed to be addressed, and not just the symptoms.
Source: Promoting Positive Outcomes: Working together to prevent antisocial behaviour in Scotland, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Framework (part 1) | Framework (part 2) | Summary | SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Mar
The police service inspectorate in Scotland said that a steering group should be set up to provide national co-ordination and management of policing.
Source: Independent Review of Policing in Scotland, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (0131 244 5614)
Links: Report | SG press release
Date: 2009-Jan
A report by a committee of MSPs endorsed the principles of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill: but it highlighted areas of concern and ambiguity, especially regarding sexual activity between older children. The committee also supported calls for the creation of a new statutory offence of rape with an object.
Source: Stage 1 Report on the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill, 1st Report 2009, SP Paper 194, Scottish Parliament Justice Committee, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SP press release | BBC report | Christian Institute report
Date: 2009-Jan
