Fewer suspects held on remand is a ‘priority’, says Justice Secretary

SCOTLAND’S Justice Secretary has insisted having fewer suspected criminals being held on remand is a priority for the Scottish Government.

Keith Brown said ‘credible and consistent’ alternatives to custodial sentences are needed in order to reduce the number of people sent to prison in Scotland.

But, speaking to the justice and social affairs magazine, 1919, Mr Brown said reducing the number of people on remand would be a priority. MSPs have noted the number of remand prisoners has been growing since the start of the pandemic.

Mr Brown told the magazine: ‘There’s relatively widespread agreement, and it’s certainly true in the police as well that for some people prison is not the best place for them.’

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Jamie Greene questioned Mr Brown’s views on community justice.

He said: ‘That has been an insult to the victims of crime across Scotland.’