The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) has welcomed a major new report from the Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, calling it a pivotal moment for justice reform in Scotland. 

The Justice that Works report urges a fundamental shift away from overreliance on imprisonment and towards prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation. It makes the case for stronger community justice, better support for people leaving custody, and a renewed focus on reducing reoffending through meaningful, evidence-based approaches. 

Among its key recommendations are extending the Whole System Approach to under-25s and ensuring restorative justice is consistently available across Scotland, which are both long-standing priorities for CYCJ. 

Read CYCJ’s response to the Justice that Works report  

Read the Justice that Works report