Peterhead leads the way in prison reform

Just before Easter, I took part in a debate on the Prisoner (Scotland) Bill – something that is very relevant to Banffshire and Buchan Coast one year on from the addition of HMP Grampian to the criminal justice system.

To give a bit of background – the proposed Bill seeks to end the automatic release of long-term prisoners after two thirds of their sentences. Automatic early release for prisoners including sex offenders initially those sentenced to four years or more, and those that have a sentence of 10 years or more would end, and a period of supervision would be put in place for long-term prisoners leaving custody.

Prison is only effective as a means of punishment due to the enforced loss of liberty, but it is the inclusion of rehabilitation that will reduce the chances of a prisoner re-offending. For rehabilitation to be effective, it is important that those who return to ordinary life receive the help that they need and the opportunity to turn their lives around.

The Bill would allow the Scottish Prison Service to release sentenced prisoners up to two days early where required if this will help with reintegration into everyday life.

Every year, thousands of prisoners in Scotland are released into the community with nowhere to live, some suffering from serious psychological issues and others lacking the social skills to move them forward. These are the problems that the Scottish Government wants to address and one in which I feel is key to the work of the justice system.

The new prisoner release arrangements would allow more targeted access to health, housing and services to help with rehabilitation, and back into the workplace.

HMP and YOI Grampian are leading by example. In January I was delighted when the local prison became the base for a ground breaking project that will go a long way to helping prisoners once they are released back into the community. Significant investment is being made in rehabilitation within the Peterhead prison. In particular prisoners will come out with improved literacy and verbal skills which will equip them for employment in any one of a range of jobs.

Guaranteed period of supervision would be put in place for prisoners guilty of serious offences coming out of custody into the community.

Every prisoner serving a sentence of four years or more will remain in jail for much longer than is currently the case if that is deemed necessary by the Parole Board.

Rehabilitation of prisoners in this country needs better organisation and better resourcing. Almost three-quarters of those in prison have mental health problems and almost two-thirds have drug problems. These do not go away when they are released.

What this Bill provides is better opportunity for those that have served their time, giving them the chance to redeem themselves and fully contribute to society. State of the art prisons are one thing but the care that follows a custodial sentence is just as important, and can be crucial in producing long term life changing results.

Across Scotland, there are 1,000 police officers on our streets and recorded crime is at its lowest level in 40 years. While this should be welcomed, we must make sure that we have not given up on those already in our prisons.