What do we know about changes in sentencing patterns, specifically the number of people sentenced to prison, sentence lengths, and the types of sentences given for various crimes over time? How have sentencing patterns changed over time by age, sex, and offence history? What do these trends tell us about the relationship between offender characteristics and sentencing outcomes in Scotland?

Background

The Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice aims to support rehabilitation, use custody only where there is no alternative and work to reduce reoffending and revictimisation. It also aims to establish an effective, modern person-centred and trauma-informed approach to justice in which everyone can have trust, including as victims, those accused of crimes and as individuals in civil disputes. As such, Justice Analytical Services have identified the theme of ‘Sentencing Prisons & Rehabilitation’ as a research priority. Robust research on offenders, their rehabilitation and sentencing patterns will inform work towards these aims.