A review of the rise in prison suicides last year suggests “some association” with overcrowding and prisoners spending less time outside their cells, the prisons complaints watchdog has said. However,
Read More
Too many people embroiled in family court fights over children are having difficulties because they cannot get hold of copies of judges’ rulings, an MP said. John Hemming, who campaigns
Read More
The deaths in custody of hundreds of people with mental health problems could have been avoided, according to an inquiry. Repeated basic errors, poor communication and a lack of rigorous
Read More
Scotland’s Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has announced a near £1 million funding package for three leading voluntary organisations working to reduce reoffending. The funding will allow Apex Scotland, SACRO and
Read More
Police and prosecutors have today been given the clearest instructions yet on assessing the vital issue of consent in rape cases. A new toolkit called ‘What is consent?’ produced by
Read More
Victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove, whose husband Garry was killed by a gang vandalising his car, has hit out at police, prosecutors and courts for failing to show compassion when dealing
Read More
A predicted 30% surge in rape trials has prompted police and prosecutors to overhaul guidelines on handling cases. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police chiefs have launched a joint
Read More
Children leaving social care should be given greater support to prevent them from falling into a life of crime, researchers have said. A pilot scheme to address the often-neglected needs
Read More
A legal loophole makes it impossible to prosecute adults for neglect or ill-treatment of 16 and 17-year-olds, a charity has warned. The Children’s Society is calling for a change in
Read More
The Scottish Government has today introduced a Bill which will introduce a specific law to combat human trafficking and exploitation for the very first time in Scotland. The Human Trafficking
Read More