Howard League Scotland
@howardleague-scot.bsky.social
Scotland's leading independent penal reform organisation. Promoting just responses to the causes and consequences of crime.
'Crisis point', yes, but our prisons still need to be humane. Come along to our Drummond Hunter Lecture on Tuesday 25 November, to hear more from Sara Snell (Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland). There are still a few tickets left: tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
Another 1,000 inmates to be released as Scotland’s prisons reach ‘crisis point’
A Holyrood committee has backed another prisoner release scheme amid warnings of an “emergency situation” in Scotland’s prisons.
www.scottishlegal.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
'Crisis point', yes, but our prisons still need to be humane. Come along to our Drummond Hunter Lecture on Tuesday 25 November, to hear more from Sara Snell (Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland). There are still a few tickets left: tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco...
The Governor of HMP Glenochil correctly stresses the oft forgotten link between our unsustainably high prison population & potentially less safe communities: "overcrowding is hampering efforts to rehabilitate prisoners, & that in turn affects wider society".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Glenochil prison boss warns against 'negative impact' of overcrowding
When the chief inspector of Scotland's prisons visited Glenochil in February, the 668-capacity jail was holding 770 inmates.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The Governor of HMP Glenochil correctly stresses the oft forgotten link between our unsustainably high prison population & potentially less safe communities: "overcrowding is hampering efforts to rehabilitate prisoners, & that in turn affects wider society".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📢 Our annual Drummond Hunter Lecture couldn't be better timed: Sara Snell @hmips Chief Inspector will be discussing how we move 'Towards Humane Prisons' at 6.30pm on Tuesday 25 November @UoELawSchool.
Tickets available ➡️ tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tickets available ➡️ tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7rv9yx0x9o📢
November 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
📢 Our annual Drummond Hunter Lecture couldn't be better timed: Sara Snell @hmips Chief Inspector will be discussing how we move 'Towards Humane Prisons' at 6.30pm on Tuesday 25 November @UoELawSchool.
Tickets available ➡️ tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tickets available ➡️ tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There's no pleasure at all at having predicted this. Just a deep disappointment in acknowledging that we had a choice.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scotland's prison population hits record high
Both the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish government said action was now needed.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM
There's no pleasure at all at having predicted this. Just a deep disappointment in acknowledging that we had a choice.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📢 BIG NEWS! Sara Snell, Chief Inspector of Prisons @hmipscot will be the keynote speaker, talking about 'Towards Humane Prisons' at our annual Drummond Hunter Lecture on 25 November.
Tickets here: tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x.
Please spread the word!
Tickets here: tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x.
Please spread the word!
October 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
📢 BIG NEWS! Sara Snell, Chief Inspector of Prisons @hmipscot will be the keynote speaker, talking about 'Towards Humane Prisons' at our annual Drummond Hunter Lecture on 25 November.
Tickets here: tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x.
Please spread the word!
Tickets here: tinyurl.com/3s6yke4x.
Please spread the word!
Allan Marshall died unlawfully in the care of @scottishprisons. Excessive & unnecessary force had been used to restrain him, but crucially (and less reported): the FAI found that prison officers and senior prison staff were not truthful in their evidence. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scottish Prison Service admits unlawful death of man in custody
Allan Marshall died four days after being restrained by prison officers at HMP Edinburgh in March 2015.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Allan Marshall died unlawfully in the care of @scottishprisons. Excessive & unnecessary force had been used to restrain him, but crucially (and less reported): the FAI found that prison officers and senior prison staff were not truthful in their evidence. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The human rights of all prisoners must be respected. Despite assurances to the contrary, questions remain as to whether the sentences of OLR prisoners are being managed properly.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
September 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The human rights of all prisoners must be respected. Despite assurances to the contrary, questions remain as to whether the sentences of OLR prisoners are being managed properly.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A prison officer's job is far from easy, but as Sheriff Collins stated in the FAI for 20 year old Jack McKenzie at HMP/YOI Polmont, “poor practice must be investigated and sanctioned, not ignored and therefore – apparently – condoned”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Young prisoner's death could have been prevented, sheriff rules
Seven recommendations have been made by a sheriff after an FAI into the death of 20-year-old Jack McKenzie in Polmont.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
A prison officer's job is far from easy, but as Sheriff Collins stated in the FAI for 20 year old Jack McKenzie at HMP/YOI Polmont, “poor practice must be investigated and sanctioned, not ignored and therefore – apparently – condoned”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
With an increase of 60% in the last year, these are almost unbelievable findings. We should all be very grateful to the research team for shining a light on something that @scottishprisons.bsky.social doesn't hold accurate data on and must address now. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Deaths in Scottish prisons among highest in Europe
The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research found 64 people died in jail in 2024 - up from 40 in 2023.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 30, 2025 at 10:25 AM
With an increase of 60% in the last year, these are almost unbelievable findings. We should all be very grateful to the research team for shining a light on something that @scottishprisons.bsky.social doesn't hold accurate data on and must address now. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The waiting lists for rehabilitation programmes pose a serious concern which @HMIPS (and others) continues to highlight. The issue doesn't get a lot of attention which it should.
Scotland’s Hidden Life Sentence: Orders of Lifelong Restriction (OLRs) were meant for ‘exceptional’ cases—offenders serve a punishment term then remain locked up indefinitely until they can prove they are no longer a risk. But what is offered in terms of rehabilitation? #NOLR # HumanRightsWatch
March 28, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The waiting lists for rehabilitation programmes pose a serious concern which @HMIPS (and others) continues to highlight. The issue doesn't get a lot of attention which it should.
Reposted by Howard League Scotland
Inordinately long waiting lists for rehabilitative programmes for OLR prisoners (and others) raise serious human rights issues which @HMIPS highlighted in its thematic review of progression.
March 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Inordinately long waiting lists for rehabilitative programmes for OLR prisoners (and others) raise serious human rights issues which @HMIPS highlighted in its thematic review of progression.
Many of the people on OLRS are unable to demonstrate their suitability for release, which can lead to fundamental breaches of their human rights.
Today we are highlighting some of the basic facts about OLRs and statistics on how they have been used. Follow #NOLR for all posts
March 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Many of the people on OLRS are unable to demonstrate their suitability for release, which can lead to fundamental breaches of their human rights.
Take a listen to our Policy and Public Affairs Adviser, Emma Jardine, talking (from 13:05 onwards) about why the early release of some short term prisoners isn't going to be nearly enough to solve the issue of prison overcrowding.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Radio Scotland - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to BBC Radio Scotland on BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Take a listen to our Policy and Public Affairs Adviser, Emma Jardine, talking (from 13:05 onwards) about why the early release of some short term prisoners isn't going to be nearly enough to solve the issue of prison overcrowding.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Howard League Scotland
In the wake of the FAI into the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay, the Scottish government has just announced 1. The Scottish Prison Service will urgently review its policy on items that can be used as ligatures, and the development of suicide prevention technology will be accelerated.
January 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
In the wake of the FAI into the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay, the Scottish government has just announced 1. The Scottish Prison Service will urgently review its policy on items that can be used as ligatures, and the development of suicide prevention technology will be accelerated.
Reposted by Howard League Scotland
Thread. I’m not going to post in depth about the excoriating determination of the FAI into the suicides of Katie Allan & William Lindsay. I’ll be writing about it anon & at length. BUT what runs through it is a sense of the perceived disposability of young people the state is supposed to care for
January 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Thread. I’m not going to post in depth about the excoriating determination of the FAI into the suicides of Katie Allan & William Lindsay. I’ll be writing about it anon & at length. BUT what runs through it is a sense of the perceived disposability of young people the state is supposed to care for
So many things to comment on here, but 5 years after the preventable deaths of Katie and William, the fact that some prison cells are still not safe is inexcusable. Immediate "actioning" rather than just "carefully considering" the recommendations is what is required 💔. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Catalogue of failures led to young prisoner deaths at Polmont, says sheriff
A fatal accident inquiry concludes that Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, may not have died if reasonable precautions had been taken.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 17, 2025 at 12:42 PM
So many things to comment on here, but 5 years after the preventable deaths of Katie and William, the fact that some prison cells are still not safe is inexcusable. Immediate "actioning" rather than just "carefully considering" the recommendations is what is required 💔. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Howard League Scotland
Great opportunity to join our justice team as Community Justice Manager. We are looking for a dynamic manager to lead and be responsible for all aspects of the delivery and development of our Community Justice services: https://buff.ly/3OQMWM4
December 9, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Great opportunity to join our justice team as Community Justice Manager. We are looking for a dynamic manager to lead and be responsible for all aspects of the delivery and development of our Community Justice services: https://buff.ly/3OQMWM4
It took almost 24 hours for our 'tweets' from Twitter/X to be imported to here. Our timeline therefore looks a bit odd, but we're here and that's the main thing!
December 5, 2024 at 11:54 AM
It took almost 24 hours for our 'tweets' from Twitter/X to be imported to here. Our timeline therefore looks a bit odd, but we're here and that's the main thing!
Reposted by Howard League Scotland
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on the new earlier release legislation: a step in the right direction, but so much more to be done to reverse the damage of sentence inflation, and to make meaningful rehabilitation possible. www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
SNP progress on Scotland’s buckling prison system is head-bangingly slow
By Dani Garavelli
www.heraldscotland.com
December 1, 2024 at 9:06 AM
My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on the new earlier release legislation: a step in the right direction, but so much more to be done to reverse the damage of sentence inflation, and to make meaningful rehabilitation possible. www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
Our annual lecture by @FrancisPakes on 'Small Worlds: What Can We Learn From Iceland's Prisons?' will take place at 6pm on Wed 22 May at @UniStrathclyde. It's not a secret. You can tell everyone about it!!!
Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
December 5, 2024 at 11:48 AM
Our annual lecture by @FrancisPakes on 'Small Worlds: What Can We Learn From Iceland's Prisons?' will take place at 6pm on Wed 22 May at @UniStrathclyde. It's not a secret. You can tell everyone about it!!!
Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
How similar are Iceland & Scotland when it comes to prisons? @FrancisPakes knows. Come along to our 2024 Annual Lecture, 'Small Worlds: What Can We Learn From Iceland's Prisons?' on Wed 22 May at
@UniStrathclyde and he can tell you all about it. Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
@UniStrathclyde and he can tell you all about it. Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
December 5, 2024 at 11:47 AM
How similar are Iceland & Scotland when it comes to prisons? @FrancisPakes knows. Come along to our 2024 Annual Lecture, 'Small Worlds: What Can We Learn From Iceland's Prisons?' on Wed 22 May at
@UniStrathclyde and he can tell you all about it. Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
@UniStrathclyde and he can tell you all about it. Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
🤔Want to know more? Come along to our 2024 Annual Lecture, 'Small Worlds: What Can We Learn From Iceland's Prisons?' with @FrancisPakes on Wed 22 May at @UniStrathclyde. Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
December 5, 2024 at 11:47 AM
🤔Want to know more? Come along to our 2024 Annual Lecture, 'Small Worlds: What Can We Learn From Iceland's Prisons?' with @FrancisPakes on Wed 22 May at @UniStrathclyde. Tickets:
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc
tinyurl.com/3mrysffc