Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 February 2026 [Draft]
12 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission
I recently received correspondence from Mr Kerr that is in the same vein as his questions to me. What I have heard are knee-jerk quotes and a knee-jerk response to a substantive piece of work. If we do not want to have to continue deciding on short-term emergency measures, we have to find the space for, and build a consensus around, longer-term solutions while bearing in mind that the evidence points to the fact that a high prison population does not equate to a safer Scotland.
I am hearing nothing from Mr Kerr other than some policy wonk language about the need to develop a cohesive, long-term, holistic strategy. As soon as there is an attempt to do that, he dismisses outright all solutions. It sounds to me as if the Tories really do not want to find a solution.
On the member’s specific questions—[Interruption.]
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a statement by Angela Constance on the sentencing and penal policy commission. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance)
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
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Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
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Angela Constance
SNP
I recently received correspondence from Mr Kerr that is in the same vein as his questions to me. What I have heard are knee-jerk quotes and a knee-jerk respo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Members!
Angela Constance
SNP
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Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
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Angela Constance
SNP
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Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
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The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Always speak through the chair.
Angela Constance
SNP
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Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
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Angela Constance
SNP
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SNP
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Angela Constance
SNP
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Lab
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Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
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Angela Constance
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Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
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Angela Constance
SNP
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Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
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Angela Constance
SNP
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Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
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Angela Constance
SNP
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