I met with Ronnie Hill and Bryan Livingstone from the Care Commission – Linda Macdonald and Sarah-Louise Davies were present at different parts of the meeting. The issues covered included the potential for a thematic inspection on the provision of throughcare and aftercare services, the place for young people generally in the inspection process and a specific issue regarding foster care provision. I will follow up this meeting with Jacquie Roberts, interim Chief Executive of the new inspection agency.
I met with Adam Ingram on the issue of children of prisoners – Nico Juetten and several others from the campaign group were present. It was a useful meeting in terms of keeping the issue on the agenda, although future activity on this issue is under consideration as part of the review of Not Seen, Not Guilty, Not Heard.
I attended a public meeting host by the Howard League of Penal Reform, entitled “Why does Scotland lock up so many young people?” – held in Muirhouse in Edinburgh and attended by 100 people in total - local people, academics and people from the justice field, including Richard Baker, MSP. I expect there to be follow up to this on the issue of 16/17 year olds in custody as there was common agreement here.