Remit
The Committee considered a letter from Patrick Harvie MSP on 29 June 2017 regarding the issue of prisoner voting. Mr Harvie requested the Committee consider this as part of its work programme. On 29 June, the Committee agreed to hold an evidence gathering scoping session. This took place on 7 September 2017.
Timetable
29 June 2017: The Committee agreed to undertake a scoping exercise on the issue of prisoner voting in Scotland.
7 September 2017: oral evidence session
25 January 2018: oral evidence session
Ongoing: The Committee has written to various bodies. It will consider their responses and decide what action it will take. For further information, please contact the Clerks to the Committee.
Evidence
The Committee held an evidence session on prisoner voting rights on 7 September 2017.
Official Report of meeting, 7 September
Written submissions
The Committee held a further evidence session on prisoner voting on 25 January 2018.
Official Report of meeting, 25 January
Written submissions
CORRESPONDENCE
Following evidence, the Committee agreed to write to the following for further information:
- Letter to the Minister for Parliamentary Business, 22 September 2017 (41KB pdf)
- Response from the Minister for Parliamentary Business, 11 October 2017 (206KB pdf)
- Letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business on prisoner voting and electoral reform, 19 December 2017 (114KB pdf)
- Letter to Dr C Behan, 21 September 2017 (99KB pdf)
- Response from Dr C Behan, 10 October 2017 (143KB pdf)
- Letter to Lord President of the Court of Session, 21 September 2017 (98KB pdf)
- Response from Lord President of the Court of Session, 26 September 2017 (431KB pdf)
- Letter to Victim Support Scotland, 22 September 2017 (98KB pdf)
- Response from Victim Support Scotland, 11 October 2017 (172KB pdf)
- Letter to the UK Ministry of Justice, 13 February 2017 (99KB pdf)
- Response from UK Ministry of Justice, 23 March 2018 (59KB pdf)
- Letter to Convener of Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, 2 July 2019
- Response from Convener of Standards, Procedures and Public Appointment Committee 12 September 2019
The Scottish Government responded to the Prisoner Voting report on 5 July 2018: