The new Bail and Release from Custody Bill, which the government hopes will reduce use of custody for remand, give greater priority to rehabilitation for those leaving prison, and reduce overall reoffending rates, makes a number of changes including:

• changing the test that the court must apply when making decisions about bail, and requiring the court to record reasons if bail is refused,
• Ending ‘Friday release’ from prisons, so prisoners being released have a chance to access public services,
• Introducing minimum standards for throughcare support provided to prisoners throughout their time in prison and during their transition back into the community,
• Allowing victim support organisations to receive information about prisoners, including their release.

The committee is today launching a call for views which will run over the summer, ahead of hearings expected to take place later in the year. A report on the Committee’s findings will follow.

Speaking as the call for views was launched, committee convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: “These plans propose important changes to the criminal justice system in Scotland.

“We want to hear the range of views on them which exist across Scotland, not least from victims of crime, those with experience of prison and the families and communities around these people.”