Advocacy groups to evidence on community sentences

The committee will hear from advocacy groups, identifying best practices and discussing challenges associated with them. The session will also focus on ways to facilitate their delivery and improve their effectiveness. 

Giving evidence will be:  

• Mr. Andrew Neilson, Campaigns Director, Howard League for Penal Reform 
• Mr. Phil Bowen, Director, Centre for Justice Innovation  
• Mr. Gavin Dingwall, Senior Research Fellow, Sentencing Academy 

Possible questions include: 

• What characterises an ideal community sentence? What are the best practices in the delivery of community sentences? 
• How effective are community sentences at reducing reoffending? 
• What are the attitudes of the public, in general, and of victims, in particular, towards community sentences? What shapes these attitudes? 
• What are the attitudes of offenders towards community sentences? 
• Should young adults be supervised by Youth Offending Services? 
• What is the single most important change you would advocate for in relation to community sentences? 

The session will take place on Tuesday 16 May at 10:30am and can be followed live on Parliament TV.