Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR): interim report 2023

1. Chairs Foreword

I am honoured to step into the role of Chair of the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR). As a newcomer to this pivotal position, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I am grateful to colleagues in the secretariat at the Scottish government for their welcome, heavy administrative lifting and wise counsel. Also, I have benefitted from the experience and wisdom of both experienced and new panel members already – I am confident that the whole will be more than the sum of the parts in our work together.

SAPOR's legacy is one of dedication to improving offender rehabilitation, reducing reoffending, and building a safer Scotland. We take immense pride in our work, which extends from accrediting offender programmes to promoting innovative strategies in the field.

It is my firm belief that SAPOR's impact can be strengthened through collaboration, innovation, and a renewed commitment to evidence-informed practices. We are living in a time of constant and rapid change, and as such, we must remain adaptive, open to new ideas, and ready to embrace emerging challenges.

I look forward to working alongside our justice partners, professionals, and the wider community to ensure that SAPOR continues to be a beacon of excellence in offender rehabilitation. Together, we can forge a future where rehabilitation is not only effective but compassionate and equitable.

I extend my gratitude to the former Chair and the entire SAPOR Panel for their outstanding work, and I am eager to contribute to the remarkable legacy of this Panel. Your support and insights will be invaluable as we embark on this journey together.

To start our work together we will be focussing upon our strategy for the future.

Thank you for your trust and confidence in SAPOR. I am excited about what we can achieve as we move forward in our mission to contribute to reduce crime in Scotland.

Warm regards,

Professor Graham Towl

Chair of the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation