As an amendment to motion S6M-652 in the name of Angela Constance, Independent Review of Sentencing and Penal Policy), leave out from "Scotland" to end and insert "as a result of, non-exhaustively, significant and long-standing pre-COVID-19 pandemic court backlogs, a high remand population and a failure to timeously build additional prison capacity, Scotland’s prison system is now struggling to house the number of prisoners incarcerated and sentenced as a result of independent decisions made by judges; further notes with disappointment that these capacity issues still persist, despite numerous Scottish Government policies, which were aimed at reducing the prison population, such as changes to automatic early release, which allows many offenders to leave prison after serving 40% of their sentence, a general presumption against short sentences, sentencing guidelines that treat under 25-year-olds differently and an increase in diversion from prosecution; raises concerns that, despite repeated warnings about the need for new prisons, HMP Highland and HMP Glasgow are both delayed and over budget, with the former rising from £52 million to £209 million, and the latter increasing from £100 million to £998 million; understands that reoffending rates were up 2.6% for the 2020-21 cohort; recognises that one-in-eight of those released as a result of emergency early release reoffended, and believes that the role of the independence of the judiciary should not be undermined by government, and that any review of penal and sentencing policy should always prioritise victims over offenders."
Result 28 for, 69 against, 14 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Defeated
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Independent
Alba Party
No Party Affiliation
Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Supported by: Siobhian Brown
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 70 for, 42 against, 1 abstained, 16 did not vote Vote Passed
Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date lodged: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Thursday, February 20, 2025
Result 16 for, 97 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote Vote Defeated