Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR): biennial report 2020 - 2022

5. Future Priorities

Advice Function

SAPOR is dedicated to strengthening and expanding its advisory function, recognising the critical role that guidance and advice play in promoting effective offender rehabilitation and desistance.

Here's how SAPOR plans to continue building its advice function:

• Comprehensive Expertise: SAPOR aims to build a team of experts with a deep understanding of offender rehabilitation, evidence-based practices, and the evolving landscape of the justice system. These experts will be at the forefront of providing guidance to professionals in the field.
• Tailored Advice: Recognising that the needs of professionals working in offender rehabilitation can vary significantly, SAPOR will focus on providing tailored advice that is specific to the unique challenges and contexts within the Scottish Justice System. This personalised approach ensures that professionals receive guidance relevant to their circumstances.
• Evidence-Based Recommendations: SAPOR is committed to providing advice that is grounded in evidence-based practices. By staying up to date with the latest research and best practices, SAPOR ensures that its recommendations are in line with the most effective approaches to offender rehabilitation.
• Standards and Quality Assurance: SAPOR will continue to set and maintain high standards for offender rehabilitation. By offering advice on these standards and quality assurance, the Panel ensures that professionals adhere to best practices, contributing to improved outcomes in reducing reoffending.
• Promoting Innovation: While SAPOR emphasises evidence-based practices, it also recognises the importance of encouraging innovation in offender rehabilitation. The advice function will actively promote the proper evaluation of innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance rehabilitation outcomes.
• Collaboration with Partners: SAPOR will build partnerships with other key stakeholders, such as the Scottish Government, community justice organisations, and third-sector entities. This collaborative approach ensures that the advice provided is holistic and considers the broader context of offender rehabilitation.
• Regular Updates and Communication: SAPOR recognises the dynamic nature of the justice system and the evolving needs of professionals. It will maintain open lines of communication with its audience, offering regular updates and guidance on emerging trends, policies, and practices.
• Public Awareness: In addition to supporting professionals, SAPOR will work to raise public awareness of the importance of effective offender rehabilitation. This involves sharing advice and information that helps the public understand the role they play in supporting desistance.
• Feedback and Continuous Improvement: SAPOR is committed to a culture of continuous improvement. Feedback from professionals and stakeholders will be actively sought and used to refine and enhance the advice function.

By continuing to build its advice function in these ways, SAPOR ensures that it remains a valuable resource for professionals working in offender rehabilitation. The Panel's commitment to providing evidence-based, tailored guidance and fostering collaboration with key partners positions it as a central hub for promoting effective practices and supporting the overarching policy objectives of reducing reoffending and improving the Scottish Justice System.

Future Panel Membership

As the terms of the current Chair and Panel Members of SAPOR are ending, the process of recruiting new leadership and members is a critical step to ensure the Panel continues to fulfil its mandate effectively.

Here's how SAPOR plans to go about this transition:

• Advertisement and Outreach: SAPOR will advertise the vacancies for the Chair and Panel Members in various relevant channels, including government websites, professional networks, and legal publications. The outreach will be designed to reach a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates.
• Clear Job Descriptions: The Panel will develop clear and comprehensive job descriptions for the positions, outlining the roles and responsibilities of the Chair and Panel Members. This transparency helps candidates understand what is expected of them.
• Criteria and Qualifications: SAPOR will define the criteria and qualifications required for the roles. This will include expertise in offender rehabilitation, a commitment to evidence-based practices, an understanding of the Scottish Justice System, and other relevant qualifications.
• Diversity and Inclusion: The recruitment process will emphasise the importance of diversity and inclusion. SAPOR is committed to ensuring that the new Chair and Panel Members represent a broad spectrum of perspectives and backgrounds.
• Continuity of Function: Throughout the recruitment and transition process, SAPOR will prioritise the continuity of its core functions. The outgoing Chair and Panel Members will work closely with their successors to ensure a seamless transition and handover of responsibilities.

By following a robust and transparent recruitment process, SAPOR aims to select individuals who are dedicated to advancing the mission of offender rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates in Scotland. This process also ensures that the Panel continues to provide effective guidance and support to the Scottish Justice System in the years to come.