Crime and the Law The Prison System in Scotland

Today we will… Identify the various punishments a person can receive in Scotland Describe the purpose of prisons Evaluate their effectiveness in meeting their purpose.

Success Criteria Describe a variety of punishments the Scottish Courts can give a criminal Describe the purpose of prisons in Scotland Evaluate whether prisons are an effective way of dealing with criminal activity.

Sentencing in Scottish Courts There are a range of sentences available to judges in Scotland, depending on the severity of the crime and the background of the offender. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVtiu6diut0

Why give someone a sentence? The aim of sentencing is to: Punish the offender Reduce crime Reform and rehabilitate offenders Protect the public Make the offender give something back to those affected by the crime. A sentence is the punishment the courts decide should be given to someone who has been convicted of a crime.

Custodial Sentences Commonly referred to as a “prison sentence”. These involve detention – either in a prison or young offenders institution Those convicted can be sentenced to anything between a few weeks to a life sentence Sentences can be ‘suspended’. This means that if the person does not re-offend within a certain time limit, they will not have to serve the custodial sentence.

Types of Prisons Young Offenders’ Institute For those aged 16-21 If the offender reaches the age of 21 whilst still serving their sentence, they get transferred to an adult prison. Closed prison High level of security For those who have committed serious offences

Open prison Lower levels of security. Prisoners not confined to cells for most of the day. Used to accommodate prisoners who have been deemed to have a low-risk of re-offending and a low-risk to public safety. Only one open prison in Scotland – HMP Castle Huntly near Dundee. Some prisoners may be allowed off site to attended training courses etc.

Prisons in Scotland There are 15 prisons in Scotland and approximately 8000 prisoners in total.

Custodial services for female offenders including young offenders. HMP/YOI Corton Vale Custodial services for female offenders including young offenders. HMP Grampian 500 prisoners Male, female and young offenders - Replaced HMP Aberdeen and Peterhead in 2014. HMP/YOI Polmont Provides custodial sentences for male prisoners between 16-21 years old. Prisoners may be on remand or serving sentences of 6 months to life. HMP Barlinnie Receives prisoners from the west of Scotland. Retains male prisoners serving sentences of less than 4 years. Prisoners serving longer sentences will be moved to other prisons ( eg. Shotts).

Advantages of Prison Advantages of Prison

It is a good form of punishment to deprive people of their freedom Advantages of Prison Prison is a deterrent – it stops some people from committing crimes as they wouldn’t like to be locked up It is necessary to imprison violent offenders (for example: murderers and rapists) to protect the public. Increases public safety. It is a good form of punishment to deprive people of their freedom Retribution – allows victims and/or families of victims to feel a sense of justice. Prison means paying for your crime!

Advantages of Prison 63% of young people have substance misuse issues when admitted to prison. Prisons have rehabilitation programmes that tackle addiction. For example: methadone programmes. Prisons can rehabilitate offenders and help them gain skills that will help them when they are released (learning to read and write, engineering, national qualifications).

Disadvantages of Prison Prison is expensive – costs the taxpayer and Government over £40,000 to house a prisoner for a year. Separates families; children brought up without a parent(s) are known to suffer later in life In 2012, 25% of those leaving prison were reconvicted. This suggests prisons are ineffective, maybe due to criminals learning from criminals.

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/39445-barlinnie-a-day-in-the-life/ Barlinnie – A Day in the Life http://news.stv.tv/video/13550360001/ Life inside for prisoners at Aberdeen's Craiginches

SQA Knowledge Questions Describe, in detail, two advantages of prison sentencing for wider society (6) Describe, in detail, two disadvantages of prison for wider society (6)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjb-eLUxT94 Wentworth Prison documentary for advantages and disadvantages of prison