New measures will help ensure the justice system can operate effectively and ease pressure on local authorities as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues. Public health restrictions introduced since the outbreak last March have significantly impacted upon unpaid work – the most common element of Community Payback Orders (CPOs) – that can be undertaken safely. Most... Continue Reading →
Criminal Disclosure Reforms to Come into Effect This Year
Ruth Maguire MSP has urged employers and insurers to be aware of changes to rules previous criminal convictions which people need to disclose which will take effect this year. From 30 November, the length of time that many convictions need to be disclosed by job and insurance applicants will be reduced. A six-month custodial sentence... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Urges Action to Be Taken As Increase in Child Sex Offences Reported
Ruth Maguire MSP today called on the Scottish Government to take action amid figures showing that sexual offences against children have risen by a third. The data requested by NSPCC Scotland noted 5311 recorded offences in 2019-20 an increase of 30 per cent in the five years since 2014-15. Speaking today in the Scottish Parliament,... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire: Safeguards for Victims of Crime Essential
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire today pressed the Scottish Government on the need for robust safeguards to be in place as prisoners access to mobile phones was announced. The MSP for Cunninghame South stressed the importance of ensuring that prisoners who have been convicted of domestic abuse will not be able to use these mobile phones... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP “Employers must ensure safety of their workforce”
Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire received confirmation from the Justice Secretary that businesses and employers who continue to fail to implement social distancing regulations could face heavy fines from police. The SNP MSP today sought clarification on what powers Police Scotland have to enforce social distancing measures when dealing with employers potentially putting their staff... Continue Reading →