The Scottish Parliament Justice Committee ( @SP_Justice) are scrutinising and taking evidence from Cabinet Secretary @HumzaYousaf and senior @ScotGovJustice civil servants about responses to #COVIDー19 in criminal and civil justice in Scotland. /1

Question about number of prisoners self-isolating: 94 across 9 prison sites. @HumzaYousaf says he is "very open to the suggestion" about working with the @scottishprisons breaking the data down to numbers self-isolating by prison site & making that public. Discussions ongoing. /2

@HumzaYousaf says that approximately 19% of the Scottish prisons staff workforce are currently absent. He says this is down from a peak of approximately 25% at one point. /3

@RonaMackayMSP asks what impact has the current #coronavirus lockdown had on crime in Scotland? She also asks about crimes where people are particularly vulnerable, for example, domestic abuse. /4

@HumzaYousaf speaks of examples of crime types that are reduced during the lockdown, such as alcohol-related crimes that would happen in licenced and public places are down. Then he speaks to crime types like domestic abuse, vulnerabilities and supports during the lockdown. /5

@liamkerrMSP asks about criminal courts: (1) what are the practical impacts of changes to criminal court operations? (2) how is the #COVIDー19 lockdown affecting the number and nature of offences requiring prosecution? /6

@HumzaYousaf explains details of how different courts across Scotland are dealing with urgent business and prioritising different cases (e.g., child protection, domestic abuse, cases that may be time barred). Says he is happy to provide Committee with more information on this. /7

@HumzaYousaf says dealing with the backlog in the courts "is going to require resource. I can't imagine how that would be done in current budgets," and says they'll need to keep an eye on "cost implications and financial pressures." /8

@JamesKellyLab asks the Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf about details of the planned emergency release of prisoners: what is the timetable? What resources will be available to local authorities supporting liberation and reintegration? /9

Humza Yousaf speaks of the need to work with COSLA and local authorities on the resource needed to support prisoner release. Timetable: planning to manage emergency prisoner release in three stages, across 28 days from 30th April onwards. Stages based on time left to serve. /10

@JohnFinnieHI raises the issue of human rights during #COVIDー19, police accountability and use of emergency powers, John Scott QC and the remit and membership of the Independent Advisory Group rigorously examining how these emergency powers are being used. #HumanRights /11

@JohnFinnieHI also asks about tribunals and how teleconferences and uses of technology are working during #COVIDー19, for example, the Mental Health Tribunal. /12

Humza Yousaf explains how secure teleconference calls and remote hearings for the Mental Health Tribunal work, enabling people to call and participate from homes, offices, and from hospital. /13

More details of the planned timetable/timing for emergency prisoner release in Scotland here /14 https://twitter.com/bbckirstenc/status/1253263866152333314?s=19

Humza Yousaf suggests there are likely to be opportunities & benefits from using technology in courts and tribunals during #COVIDー19 pandemic that may be useful to continue in longer term. He acknowledges there may be Internet connectivity challenges in some remote areas. /15

@alasdairallan asks about Police Scotland and the use Coronavirus Act emergency powers. Humza Yousaf gives an update on enforcement action:
- Over 1,500+ fixed penalty notices have been issued;
- 27 non-essential businesses have been closed;
- Public compliance is good.
/16

Humza Yousaf says that 206 firefighters (3% of the workforce) are absent due to #COVIDー19 related reasons, and says it is positive to see this number so low. He thanks them for the work that they do, especially in these difficult circumstances. /17

Amal, 11 month old daughter of @HumzaYousaf gets a special mention as she can momentarily be heard in the background of virtual @SP_Justice Committee meeting - beautifully timed during a question from fellow father @fultonsnp about children and families. #workingfromhome #WFH /18

@JamesKellyLab asks Humza Yousaf an important question about the human rights and mental wellbeing of people in prison - how are prisoners being supported and protected? What is the impact of changes to the Prison Rules? /19

Humza Yousaf said he spoke to @ScotHumanRights @hmipscot & others yesterday about creating overview mechanisms to prioritise human rights and scrutinise the uses of new Prison Rules. An announcement of remote independent prison monitoring during pandemic expected next week. /20

Committee Convenor Margaret Mitchell asks @HumzaYousaf to consult and update the Justice Committee on decision-making and progress on what to do with solemn cases, trials and the criminal courts. He says he is happy to communicate with them throughout this process. /21

In closing, Margaret Mitchell indicates that more virtual meetings of the @ScotParl Justice Committee are likely to be scheduled, and scrutiny of details will also continue by correspondence, which is made available on @SP_Justice #COVIDー19 webpage: /22
https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/114916.aspx

The full 1.5 hour recording of the first virtual meeting of the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee about #COVID19 and civil and criminal justice in Scotland is now available to watch online here: /23 #COVIDprisons #CriminalJustice https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/justice-committee-april-23-2020