Motion
Independent Review of Sentencing and Penal Policy
S6M-16532.1 · Amendment · lodged by Kerr, Liam
Lodged on
19 Feb 2025Heard / answered on
20 Feb 2025Watch the chamber session on SPTV · lands on the meetings recorded on 20 Feb 2025
As an amendment to motion S6M-652 in the name of Angela Constance, Independent Review of Sentencing and Penal Policy), leave out from "Scotland" to end and insert "as a result of, non-exhaustively, significant and long-standing pre-COVID-19 pandemic court backlogs, a high remand population and a failure to timeously build additional prison capacity, Scotland’s prison system is now struggling to house the number of prisoners incarcerated and sentenced as a result of independent decisions made by judges; further notes with disappointment that these capacity issues still persist, despite numerous Scottish Government policies, which were aimed at reducing the prison population, such as changes to automatic early release, which allows many offenders to leave prison after serving 40% of their sentence, a general presumption against short sentences, sentencing guidelines that treat under 25-year-olds differently and an increase in diversion from prosecution; raises concerns that, despite repeated warnings about the need for new prisons, HMP Highland and HMP Glasgow are both delayed and over budget, with the former rising from £52 million to £209 million, and the latter increasing from £100 million to £998 million; understands that reoffending rates were up 2.6% for the 2020-21 cohort; recognises that one-in-eight of those released as a result of emergency early release reoffended, and believes that the role of the independence of the judiciary should not be undermined by government, and that any review of penal and sentencing policy should always prioritise victims over offenders."
Lodged by
Kerr, Liam
alone — no additional MSPs have signed on.
Amendment division result
20 Feb 2025
Defeated
Show MSPs
For
28Against
69Abstain
14Not voted
18In the Official Report
Debated in chamber — 4 contributions reference this
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Liam Kerr
Con
Chamber
· 20 Feb 2025 · Meeting of the Parliament 20 February 2025
That is a fair challenge. What we would have done is build capacity such that the new HMP Barlinnie would not be 10 times over budget—it costs nearly £1 billion and is going to be delayed again. We w…
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The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
Chamber
· 20 Feb 2025 · Meeting of the Parliament 20 February 2025
There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Liam Kerr is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Pauline McNeill will f…
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 20 Feb 2025 · Meeting of the Parliament 20 February 2025
I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Liam Kerr is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Pauline McNeill will fall. We come to the vote on amendment S6M-16532.1, in the name of Li…
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The Presiding Officer
NPA
Chamber
· 20 Feb 2025 · Meeting of the Parliament 20 February 2025
The result of the division on amendment S6M-16532.1, in the name of Liam Kerr, is: For 28, Against 69, Abstentions 14. Amendment disagreed to.
Amendments and how the chamber decided
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S6M-16532Original motion18 Feb 2025 · Motion For Debate · Constance, AngelaThat the Parliament notes that Scotland has one of the highest proportions of prisoners in Western Europe; recognises the action that has been taken to establish a sustainable prison population and shift the balance between the use of custody and justice in the community, while protecting the public from harm; acknowledges the need for an independent revi...
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S6M-16532.1Selected itemDefeated 28/6919 Feb 2025 · Amendment · Kerr, LiamAs an amendment to motion S6M-652 in the name of Angela Constance, Independent Review of Sentencing and Penal Policy), leave out from "Scotland" to end and insert "as a result of, non-exhaustively, significant and long-standing pre-COVID-19 pandemic court backlogs, a high remand population and a failure to timeously build additional prison capacity, Scotl...