Influencing Policy and Legislation

As a key stakeholder in the Criminal Justice System, Sacro uses its knowledge and experience to influence the development of policies and legislation. It does this by communicating effectively with:

• key opinion and policy makers
• the media and the public
• funders and those who refer service users to Sacro
• service users.

Sacro believes that greater public and stakeholder knowledge and understanding of these issues is essential to effect change. This strategy is supported by qualitative and quantitative research evidence.

Sacro’s experience, gained through the delivery of its high quality services, provides the credibility that enables it to influence those who make national and local policy and legislation. Sacro seeks to influence policy and legislation so that:

• restorative justice is available at all stages of the criminal justice and youth justice processes
• constructive conflict resolution is an integral part of Scottish society
• the use of imprisonment is restricted to those who have committed serious offences or are a danger to the public.

Sacro's Manifesto for the 2007 Scottish Parliamentary Election, provides details of our policy objectives. You can download the Manifesto here.

Responding to Consultation Documents

Details of previous  and current consultation responses can be found here.

Evidence to Inquiries

Sacro regularly presents evidence to the committees of the Scottish Parliament on a wide range of subjects. Details of these reports can be found here.