For the third week in a row, the SNP’s governance failures have been highlighted yet again by the release of official statistics, this time showing the true extent of their soft-touch, pro-crime approach to sentencing criminals. This comes in a damaging month for the nationalists as they continue to face criticism for backing up disgraced former chief whip Patrick Grady over his victim – taking the leak of the accusation more seriously than the accusation itself. All this proving yet another distraction to Nicola Sturgeon as she desperately attempts to prove that she can lead Scotland to independence, all the while public services from the NHS to Police Scotland crumble behind her.
Recently released statistics published in the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland report revealed that only 39% of those convicted of violent crimes – from violent sexual crimes to attempted murder – received a custodial sentence between in 2020/2021. This cannot be overstated; less than 2 out of 5 individuals found guilty by a court of committing a violent act against another person went to prison for their actions. Moreover, over three quarters of those convicted of a sexual offence also managed to avoid custodial sentences in 2020/2021 – meaning that 3 out of 4 of those found guilty of committing a sexual offence against another individual were allowed continue their lives freely in the public. This soft touch approach to crime not only removes the deterrent of prison in the minds of offenders but also treats victims of crime with utter disregard.
Speaking in the Scotsman, Scottish Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary said:
“Victims of crime will be devastated to hear that so many criminals are avoiding jail time altogether. The deterrent of prison is simply withering away under the SNP administration. The blame for this lies squarely at the feet of the SNP Government, who have tied the judiciary’s hands through its soft-touch policies – such as the presumption against short prison sentences and the automatic early release of criminals. What’s worse, Keith Brown [SNP Justice Secretary] has just proposed a prison-emptying Bill which could see even more violent and sexual criminals roam Scotland’s streets at a time when violent crime is actually on the rise. It is clear that the SNP Government is far more concerned with making criminals’ lives easier, than delivering true justice for the victims of horrific crimes. The Scottish Conservatives would reverse this trend by putting victims of crime first with our Victims Law, finally putting the balance of our justice system back where it belongs, in favour of victims not offenders.”
This disregard for the rights, safety and mental health of victims of violent and sexual crimes is a worrying pattern of behaviour for the Scottish National Party, not just in their governing of Scotland’s criminal justice system but also – as evidenced by recent events – in their own internal governance. This is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour, especially for those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are considerably more likely to be victims of crime in Scotland.
As is habitual for the Scottish National Party, their first instinct is to save their own skin rather than to face up to the problems that they, and the country, are facing. As we continue to combat this cost of living crisis, the Ukrainian War, and spiralling inflation, we deserve a governing party that focusses less on themselves and more on Scotland.