Scottish Prison Service Rehabilitation Services

That the Parliament recognises the importance of providing comprehensive rehabilitation programmes for long-term prisoners, including those in Shotts Prison, prior to their release back into the community; considers that the available evidence clearly indicates that such programmes provide the necessary support to help ensure that their transition back into society is properly planned and supported by the relevant agencies; further considers that such programmes play a vital role in helping to reduce the reoffending rate among former prisoners; believes that this is having a serious effect on the mental health of prisoners who, having engaged positively with rehabilitation over many years, are being denied these courses or having them unreasonably delayed; further believes that this is having a negative effect in promoting a less violent prison culture and encouraging others to take a less attritional attitude to custody; expresses concern that many prisoners are not, it believes, currently receiving the right level of support timeously due to the poor administration of the Scottish Prison Service’s Self-Change Programme; considers that, as a result of what it sees as its shortcomings, this programme is not realising its potential in either properly preparing prisoners for release or helping to reduce re-offending rates, and acknowledges the view that there is an urgent need to review the management and operation of the Self-Change Programme to identify what action needs to be taken to ensure that it achieves its objectives.