Scottish Sentencing Conversations podcast launched

The Council has launched a new podcast on sentencing in Scotland, with the first episode focussing on community sentencing.

The Scottish Sentencing Conversations podcast aims to offer insights into different aspects of sentencing in Scotland and the work of the Council.

The first episode follows on from the Council’s short film on community sentencing, and includes interviews with an offender who has been sentenced to a community payback order (CPO) and a victims’ expert who describes how community disposals are viewed by those impacted by crime.

Leading academic Fergus McNeill, professor of criminology and social work, also offers some detail on what is involved in a CPO and how they compare to other types of sentences, while Sheriff Krista Johnston talks about how sentencing decisions are reached.

The first episode also features an interview with journalist Alan Richardson on his experience as a court reporter.

It is hoped that the podcast will help to inform the public about sentencing and the different disposals available in Scotland’s courts.

The Council is also developing an episode on prison sentences which will be released later this year as part of the series.

All episodes of the podcast can be found on the Council’s website or wherever you get your podcasts.