prisoners

Scotland is currently engaged in one of the biggest penal reform projects in a generation, seeking to fundamentally change its approach to punishment, which is characterised by high use of imprisonment compared to other parts of Europe, and the use of very short prison sentences. In Scotland around three quarters of prison sentences handed down by the courts are for six months or less. But because short sentences are seen as minimally intrusive compared to long-term or life sentences, there has been, until now, little research on their effects.

This resource introduces an interactive pathway through the criminal justice system and along the way highlights key professionals, their roles and responsibilities and key resources and services available.

Imprisonment for Public Protection is an indeterminate sentence given to offenders who are categorised as 'dangerous' but whose offences do not carry a life sentence. This report presents the findings of research carried out on the mental health of IPP prisoners and makes recommendations to address problems identified.

This report presents the findings of a survey of the views and perceptions of 2,500 young people held in prison. Information is included on young people’s perceptions of their conditions and treatment, from their transfer to the establishment to their preparation for release. The results for young women, young men, and those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are discussed separately.

Report highlighting the part which sentencing has played in the increase in the prison population in Scotland and identifying factors which may discourage sentencers from using custody and encourage them to make use of alternatives to custodial sentences.

Paper advocating some first steps in reforming primary care in prisons in England so that the UK Government's policy of 'equivalence', whereby prisoners receive health care in prison which is equivalent to that they would receive outside, can be better achieved.

Report providing a profile of the population detained in medium and high secure hospitals in England. It also considers issues such as are forensic services an appropriate form of diversion and would social, community-based, interventions be more appropriate and cost-effective?

This paper provides an overview of the different experiences and specific needs of minority ethnic adult women in prison, highlighting the contextual effects of multiple discrimination; being a ‘woman’, from a ‘minority ethnic’ group, often from ‘minority nationality groups’ and from ‘lower socio-economic’ backgrounds.

Report discussing how penal policy and sentencing can best contribute to reducing the prison population in Scotland while still maintaining public safety and suggesting some principles which would establish a presumption against the use of imprisonment as a means of punishment.

Key points from this briefing are presented. Every year in the UK, more children experience a parent’s imprisonment than a parent’s divorce. Prisoners’ children suffer from many problems as a result of the imprisonment. Talking to children and young people about imprisonment is not easy and is a significant source of stress for parents and carers. A number of resources are increasingly available to help explain imprisonment to children and to give children and young people the information they need.