Introduction and Approach

The purpose of this review was to look at whether the right support is in place for the small minority of veterans in custody or who come into contact with the criminal justice system, consider the role and contribution of veterans who work or volunteer within the system, capture observations and findings, and make outcome focussed recommendations to the Scottish Government to support continuous improvement.

Vision and Strategic Priorities

Vision

• A Scotland where the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans and their families are recognised and appreciated and where all veterans feel valued by society.

 Strategic Priorities

• Our veterans and their families are empowered to make informed choices to secure positive futures.
• The diversity of our veteran community is clearly recognised and valued, with support and services accessible to all.
• Policy makers and service providers will be responsive to need, collaborative in approach and aligned in their efforts to maximise impact.
• Our communities and employers better understand, value and support veterans as they integrate, contribute, and build fulfilling lives.

The strategic context is informed by four key strands.

The Armed Forces Covenant which says that those who serve in the armed forces, veterans, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services, and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, such as the injured and the bereaved. The Armed Forces Act 2021 saw the Armed Forces Covenant strengthened in law. This places a legal obligation on specified public bodies, including health boards and local authorities, to consider the principles of the Covenant when delivering relevant functions.

Renewing our Commitments sets out the Scottish Government ambition ‘to make Scotland the most attractive destination for Service leavers and their families, offering high living standards, great job prospects and a society that respects and values their contribution’.

The joint UK ten-year A Strategy for Our Veterans which aims, by 2028, to see that ‘every veteran feels even more valued, supported, and empowered and never disadvantaged as a result of their Service.’

The Scottish Government’s refreshed Action Plan published in August 2022, sets out a range of activity intended to respond to the changing needs of veterans and their families and make a positive impact on their lives. This includes the commitment to ensure that ex-Service personnel are properly supported when in custody or involved with the criminal justice system and the stated outcome ‘veterans leave the armed forces with the resilience and awareness to remain law abiding civilians.’

This work has looked at how veterans who come into contact with the justice system – and their families – are supported to achieve this stated outcome, hear about the experiences of these veterans and those who support them (statutory services, charities, others), identify issues and challenges as well as good practice, and consider what improvements might be required.

The UK and Scottish Veteran Strategies have a range of cross cutting factors that sit at the heart of collective efforts to support veterans and their families, and which are essential to success in developing and delivering high quality services and support. These are:

• Collaboration
• Coordination
• Data
• Perception
• Recognition

This work has been informed by engagement across a range of groups and stakeholders to gather evidence, hear about lived experiences, and understand the current landscape of services and support. That engagement has included:

• Veterans who are – or have been – in contact with the justice system
• Scottish Prison Service
• Police Scotland
• Veterans in Custody Support Officers
• Community Justice Scotland
• Local Authorities
• Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service
• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• Judicial Institute for Scotland
• Academics / Researchers
• Third Sector Organisations

Acknowledgements

My most sincere thanks go to everyone who has taken the time to share their individual experiences, their research findings, or their professional expertise as I have taken forward this work. Especially I’d like to thank Stefan Grzybowski, Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, Chief Inspector Trish Robertson and Inspector Stewart Kirk (Police Scotland); Governor Andrew Hodge and Andrew Bickerstaff (HMP Perth); Governor Scott Watson, Deputy Governor Martyn MacKenzie, Iain Johnston and Danny McLean (HMP Inverness); Governor Natalie Beal and Michael Wilson (HMP Glenochil); Deputy Governor Mark Holloway and Stuart Wright (HMP Edinburgh); Governor Gillian Walker and Fraser Stones (HMP Shotts); Sheriff A Cottam; Karyn McCluskey (Community Justice Scotland); Alistair Halliday (Forces Employment Charity); Scott Muir (Nova Scotland); Terrence Monaghan (Op NOVA); Adrian Kirk and Dr Jane Jones (Care After Combat); Gavin Phillip (Sacro); Lt Col Andy Middlemiss and Angela Watson (SSAFA); Gillian Booth (South Lanarkshire Council); Professor Geri Mathews-Smith and Dr Christine Haddow (Edinburgh Napier University); Sally Coulthard (Defence Gardens Scheme).