Crime and criminal justice in Scotland

An overview of trends in crime and criminal justice in Scotland. Based on research carried out for the Scottish Office Central Research Unit, this text describes the distinctive features of the Scottish criminal justice process and penal system and illustrates long-term changes in patterns of recorded crime in Scotland. The indigenous institutions of criminal justice are covered, including descriptions of the Scottish system of policing and public prosecution, criminal procedure, the criminal courts, bail and legal aid, sentencing trends and procedures for dealing with miscarriages of justice. The use of penal sanctions is explored, including a description of how prisons operate in Scotland, of the type of offender most likely to be sent to prison and of recent changes in prison regimes. The book also considers the unique Scottish Children's Hearing system and provides an account of the recent changes that have affected it.