Gavin Dingwall, Head of Policy and Communications at the Sentencing Academy, was invited to speak at the inaugural Scottish Sentencing Research Symposium at the University of Glasgow on 24 November 2023. The Sentencing Academy was delighted to co-host the symposium with the Scottish Sentencing Council and the University of Glasgow. Guests from across the United Kingdom and Ireland discussed the impact academic research has on sentencing policy and the importance that policy and practice is evidence-based.
After the event, Gavin remarked:
‘Whilst the Sentencing Academy is focused on sentencing in England and Wales, we take a keen interest in developments in Scotland. The Sentencing Bill in England and Wales, for example, will introduce a presumption in favour of a suspended sentence for custodial sentences of twelve months or fewer. Scotland already has a presumption against imposing short custodial sentences. Research into the impact of the presumption in Scotland assists us in assessing how the Sentencing Bill may affect sentencing trends south of the border. The Sentencing Academy is grateful to the Scottish Sentencing Council and the University of Glasgow for partnering with us and we look forward to continuing our association.’
