Publications

Public perceptions of sentencing in Scotland - Qualitative research exploring sexual offencesAuthors: Hannah Biggs, Susan Reid, Kaushi Attygalle, Konstantina Vosnaki (ScotCen), Dr Rachel McPherson (University of Glasgow) and Professor Cyrus Tata (Strathclyde Centre for Law, Crime & Justice, Law, School, University of Strathclyde) Through a series of focus groups and interviews, the research examined awareness and understanding of sexual offences among the public, views on the factors which should be taken into account when sentencing, and perceptions of current practice, including a sentencing exercise using a real world case. The Council commissioned the research to help guide its work to promote understanding and awareness of sentencing and to inform its development of guidelines on sexual offences.

Independent analysis of the Scottish Sentencing Council's public consultation on the draft sentencing process guideline by Dr Rachel McPherson University of Glasgow.

The purpose of this report is to set out the Council’s views on some of the most common matters raised during the public consultation exercise on the draft sentencing process guideline and to give an indication of how the guideline submitted to the High Court will differ as a result. 

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Members of the public, including relatives of victims of such offences, took part in the research, which was carried out by ScotCen Social Research on behalf of the Council. It examines public understanding of and attitudes to sentencing for death by driving offences as well as experiences and views of the justice system. Discussions explored awareness of the situations involved in these offences, knowledge and views of the factors influencing sentencing and perceptions of the purpose of sentencing.