Cross Justice Working Group on Race Data and Evidence minutes: December 2022

Attendees and apologies

• Scottish Government (SG) Justice Analytical Services (JAS)
• Scottish Government (SG) Police Division
• Scottish Government (SG) Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
• Scottish Government (SG) Health, Equality Team
• Scottish Government (SG) Communities Analytical Division
• Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB)
• Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
• Police Scotland (PS)
• Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC)
• Scottish Policing Authority (SPA)
• Scottish Prison Service (SPS)
• Equality and Human Rights COmmission (EHRC)
• Victim Support Scotland

Items and actions

Introductions and apologies

JAS welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending.

Review of action points and minutes from last meeting

There was one outstanding action point regarding sub-groups. There are ongoing discussions with the groups so it was agreed to close this action point.

SLAB – might have data available on legal aid and plan to introduce a new recruitment tool to collect applicant’s race data.

Action: JAS to follow up with SLAB – (carried over)

There were no further comments or suggestions arising from the previous minutes.

Presentation and discussion on PSED and the Justice Sector

EHRC presented on Public Sector Equality Data and Equality Act 2010.

The key points arising from the presentation:

• in order to fulfil equality duty requirements, public bodies are required to collect equality data.
• GDPR does not prevent the processing of equality data.
• however, any data collection must be in line with the seven data protection principles.

Discussion followed the presentation.

Feedback from sub-groups and next steps

JAS presented an update on the sub-groups which met in October.

The research sub-group discussed options for joining up research across justice organisations. Following the meeting, it was proposed that:

• the research sub-group ends and that a quarterly ethnicity research forum is set up.
• create a contacts list
• maintain and update list of research projects

The main CJWG approved this proposal.

Action: JAS to ask working group members for input to undertaking these next steps

The comms sub-group considered options for improving communications across justice organisations. Following the meeting, it was proposed that the sub-group continue to meet to take forward outstanding tasks:

• sharing information around gathering ethnicity data and encouraging disclosure
• produce and agree on statement of what ethnicity data is collected and why
• develop a consistent approach to grouping and reporting on ethnicity categories

The main CJWG approved this proposal.

Action: JAS to organise further meetings of the comms sub-group and ask working group members to share information around gathering ethnicity data and encouraging disclosure.

Ethnicity compendium update

The first draft has now been shared with the group members and comments / thoughts are most welcome before publication in early March 2023, along with ways in which to promote the compendium. Additional data to be added in January including updated hate crime data. There were discussions on the possibility of holding an event with justice stakeholders to address any possible gaps.

Action point to re-circulate the draft version (completed).

SG published 6 case studies last year showcasing good practices in the collection and use of equality data  Equality evidence - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Any other business

Action point to re-circulate the draft version. There was no other business.

Next meeting

Date of next meeting – to be arranged for Spring 2023