Platform

Public to have a say over our sentencing guidelines, writes Gillian Thomson

Today sees the launch of a public consultation on Scotland’s first sentencing guideline – the principles and purposes of sentencing – which will influence the way offenders are sentenced in our courts and enable us all to better understand how and why sentences are decided.

The Scottish Sentencing Council, which is made up of judicial, legal and lay members, was set up as an independent advisory body to promote consistency, fairness and transparency in sentencing across Scotland. As a member of the council, but also as a member of the public and a justice of the peace who makes sentencing decisions every time I sit in court, I welcome this transparent approach. The development of sentencing guidelines for judges is an essential part of the council’s remit, but so too is the promotion of public awareness and understanding of sentencing.

To set the scene for our future work, our starting point is this first draft guideline on the overarching principles and purposes of sentencing for all offences, and we want to hear your views.

Why do we think the underlying principles and purposes need to be defined? We take an evidence-based approach to all our work and the evidence shows many differing views on what the principles and purposes are, but little agreement. Certainly some guidance exists in the form of court decisions in particular cases, but this is the first time that a comprehensive definition has been provided for the principles underlying sentencing decisions and the purposes they seek to achieve.

We believe that to have these defined at a high level will increase transparency and promote consistency in sentencing. We have carried out significant research, consulting widely with judges across Scotland, considering views and approaches in a range of jurisdictions, and engaging with interested organisations.

The draft guideline, we believe, captures the critical elements relevant to all sentencing decisions. We considered creating an exhaustive list, but did not think it practical or useful. Instead, we have adopted a framework of the core principle of “fairness and proportionality” from which supporting principles flow.

In plain English, some of these are: similar offences should be treated in a similar manner; sentences should be no more severe than necessary; and reasons for sentencing decisions should be stated clearly and openly.

Another aspect of the consultation is to ask people to consider what the purposes of sentencing are, e.g. punishment, reduction of crime (including rehabilitation), and giving offenders an opportunity to make amends.

We are looking for comment on both the content of the draft guideline and on how easy it is to understand. Although designed to assist judges, our intention is that it should also help the public better understand how sentences are decided. I would urge you to take this opportunity to participate in the public consultation on our website (https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk/) by the deadline of 27 October.

Our intended next steps are outlined on our website but, in brief, we are currently working on guidelines on the sentencing process and on sentencing of young people. The first offencespecific guidelines, as announced in our business plan, will be on death by driving, and wildlife and environmental crime. However, we have a long term perspective, so we welcome your views on other guideline topics for the future. l Gillian Thomson is a justice of the peace member of the Scottish Sentencing Council