Council provides response to Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission Report

The Scottish Sentencing Council notes the report of the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, published on 6 February 2026.

In terms of matters of policy, the Council’s remit is restricted to assisting with the development of policy in relation to sentencing. The Council’s role is also limited to sentencing matters. It has no remit in relation to bail or arrangements for release from prison except insofar as the limited circumstances in which these might relate to sentencing. It was therefore right that the examination of the range of issues explored by the Commission was carried out by a separate body.

Several of the Commission’s recommendations are of direct relevance to the Council and the Council will give these specific consideration. Others may be of indirect relevance to the Council, should they form the basis of any future legislative or policy proposals. Any consideration in that regard would be limited to the consideration of the potential implications or practicability of emerging proposals. The extent to which the Council will be able to take forward or assist with any recommendations will be dependent on the resources made available to it.

The Council’s response to the Commission’s call for evidence in 2025 is available here and its prior evidence on the announcement of various measures to address the prison population in November 2024, provided in response to an invitation by the Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee, is available here.