CJS response to consultation on a new National Public Health body: Public Health Scotland
CJS recently submitted a response to the consultation on the new National Public Health body: ‘Public Health Scotland’, welcoming the creation of the new body and noting that as a new health board it should be considered to be a community justice partner under Section 13 of the Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016.
Read our full response here.
Punishment in Installments: Understanding and Navigating the Disclosure and Conviction Process
Disclosure of past convictions has a major impact on a person’s access to employment, education and volunteering opportunities. People who have ‘ done their time’ whether in prison or in the community often find that the disclosure system, designed to protect the public, can also prevent people from moving on.
The report by CJS Policy Apprentice Kim McGuigan is a case study on a person’s experience of navigating the current disclosure system ,in particular the removal of a spent conviction. It includes some recommendations which CJS hopes will inform future policy development on disclosure and has been shared with colleagues at Disclosure Scotland.
Written evidence to the justice committee on the proposed extension of PASS
In its Programme for Government 2018-19, the Scottish Government stated that it would extend the presumption against short sentences from 3 to 12 months. In advance of the Scottish Statutory Instrument being laid in Scottish Parliament, the Justice Committee invited submissions of written evidence on the impact of the PASS since introduction, and the potential impact of the proposed extension.
On 22nd May 2019, Community Justice Scotland submitted this written evidence in response. Read here.
The Framework for Smart Justice, Strategic Commissioning Framework: Frequently Asked Questions
Scottish Government have asked CJS to develop a Framework for three years that focusses on good practice guidance for strategic commissioning, and advised that they hope to see effective delivery across community justice partners and partnerships by that time. They have also made a long term commitment to embedding joint strategic planning and delivery in community justice. The FAQ sheet has been created to update partners on ‘The Framework for Smart Justice’ scope, timescales and opportunities to connect with the work.
Download FAQs here.
CJS response letter on Scottish Government homelessness consultation on local connection and intentionality provisions
Attached is a letter from CJS Chief Executive, Karyn McCluskey, in relation to the Scottish Government consultation on local connection and intentionality provisions homelessness legislation.
Read here.
Joint Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Justice – Transforming parole in Scotland
On 19 November 2018, Scottish Government launched a consultation on proposed reforms of the Parole Board for Scotland, aimed at improving the experience of victims in the parole process and to increase transparency. Community Justice Scotland considered these reforms in collaboration with Wellbeing Scotland, a third sector organisation supporting people who have experienced significant trauma. We thought about the consequences of the potential changes for victims of crime and people with convictions going through the parole process.
Click here to read our response.
CJS response to Prisoner Voting
CJS has submitted a brief response to the Scottish Government on its Prisoner Voting consultation following our Board meeting on 23 January 2019. Read our response here.
CJS response to Hate Crime Consultation
CJS has submitted a response to the Scottish Government on its Hate Crime consultation following our Board meeting on 23 January 2019.
Read full response here.
PVG and the Disclosure of Criminal Convictions – CJS response
The consultation is of relevance to CJS as an employer and also as a public body with a corporate plan commitment to ensure the effective reintegration into the community of people who have been convicted. Access to employment, housing, learning and volunteering are all routes to providing people with the opportunity to reintegrate successfully, to aid their rehabilitation and ultimately to reduce the likelihood of further offending. The proposals to amend the various disclosure regimes which currently govern the access to certain roles are therefore of direct relevance to CJS.
We acknowledge the point made in the foreword to the consultation that disclosure must strike a balance between safeguarding our communities on the one hand and enabling people to get into work. We agree that the current system is complex and that a more proportionate system must be developed, taking account of risks where they exist but also to allow for rehabilitation and reintegration. It is clear from research that after a period of 7-10 years with no further convictions, a person with a historic conviction presents no greater risk than those without a conviction.
Read full response here
Age of Criminal Responsibility – Consultation Response
Community Justice Scotland (CJS) welcomes the Age of Criminal Responsibility (ACR) Bill. We believe any measures which decriminalise our response to children and young people’s negative behaviours, is a positive move. The raising of the ACR is long overdue in Scotland and has unintentionally contributed to intergenerational issues for society by criminalising the most vulnerable individuals in society. CJS believes that children and young people’s behaviour is supported through the Children’s Hearing System on wellbeing grounds and not criminalised. We believe the Scottish Parliament should take an evidence based approach to setting an ACR. CJS notes that the ambition to support Children and Young People’s wellbeing can often be confused with the ACR. Whatever age is set, our response to children and young people should remain compassionate and responsive.
Read the full consultation here