On Wednesday 14 November 2018, The Parole Board for Scotland held a conference celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The event was held in Surgeons Quarter, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW
Alongside an invited audience of key players who have shaped, and continue to support, the work of the organisation. We also invited following Conference speakers;
- Humza Yousaf, The Cabinet Secretary of Justice
- Lord Carloway, Lord President
- Karyn McCluskey, Community Justice Scotland
- Katie Wallace, Victim Support Scotland
- Pete White, Positive Prison
- John Watt, Parole Board for Scotland
The Board’s activities provide a useful lens through which to view many of the issues faced by the Justice system today including reintegration, the importance of risk assessment, transparency of process, supervision in the community, the role of victims in the justice system, access to rehabilitative programmes in prison and the independence of the judiciary.
The Worboys case in England has highlighted many of these issues and a lack of public understanding of the parole process. The conference provided an opportunity to explore some of the issues identified above and to raise awareness of the role of the Board.
