Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee with an overview of key areas of COSLA’s work of interest to the Committee. The update focuses on strategic developments and cross-COSLA activity that links to policing.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 10 June 2025
Date : 10 June 2025
Location : online
Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission
The Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission was established in February 2025 to consider how imprisonment and community-based interventions are used in Scotland and ensure that it has a sustainable prison population. The Commission will make recommendations for improvements in how offending behaviour can be dealt with the underlying aim of ensuring less crime, fewer victims, and safer communities.
Cllr Chalmers and COSLA President Shona Morrison met with the Chair of the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, Martyn Evans, on 29 May to discuss the work of the Commission and ongoing engagement with Local Government. Mr Evans will also be attending an upcoming meeting of COSLA Justice Conveners, chaired by Cllr Chalmers, on 12 June for a conversation with Elected Members on the Commission and its areas of interest.
COSLA has also responded to the Commission’s call for evidence. At the time of writing this paper, COSLA’s draft response is due to be considered by the COSLA Community Wellbeing Board on 6 June. COSLA’s draft submission emphasises our ongoing support for a safe shift from use of imprisonment to community disposals wherever appropriate, while not losing sight of victims’ rights and perspectives. The submission highlights existing good practice as well as resource pressures on local authorities. It invites the Commission to further explore a number of key themes, such as judicial confidence and awareness of community disposals and the use of digital technology to support pre-release planning and reintegration.
