The Scottish Government is conducting a statutory review of the National Strategy for Community Justice — the framework that shapes how Scotland approaches community sentences, early intervention, access to services, and the role communities play in justice.
The consultation is open now, and it closes on 20 August 2026.
If you have experience of the justice system — or if you work in recovery, substance use, health, housing, or social care — this is a direct opportunity to influence what the next phase of Scotland’s approach to community justice looks like.
What the strategy covers
The current National Strategy for Community Justice was published in June 2022. It sets out four national aims:
Early intervention and alternatives to prosecution — preventing people from entering the justice system in the first place
Community sentences and alternatives to remand — ensuring that community-based responses are meaningful, well-resourced, and effective
Access to services — making sure that people in contact with the justice system can access the support they need, including housing, health, and recovery services
A strong community justice system — supporting the partnerships and structures that make community justice work in practice
These aims matter directly to recovery communities, Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LEROs) and families. People affected by drug and alcohol harm are disproportionately represented in Scotland’s justice system. The decisions made in this review may affect access to treatment, the quality of support available in community settings and in custody, and whether recovery is recognised as a genuine justice outcome.
Why SRC is encouraging a response
At SRC, we work across community and prison settings to support people in recovery. Our Prison Recovery Development Officers work across all prisons. Our MIST Experiential Team captures lived experience of MAT Standards in justice settings. Our Women in Recovery work has highlighted how deeply justice involvement shapes the experiences of women with drug and alcohol harm.
People with experience of the justice system have expertise that the Scottish Government needs. The review is asking what is working, what isn’t, and what needs to change. Those are questions that we are all uniquely placed to answer.
How to respond
Read the National Strategy for Community Justice: 🔗 https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-strategy-community-justice-2/
Complete the consultation online: 🔗https://consult.gov.scot/justice/national-strategy-community-justice-2022-review/
The consultation closes at 20 August 2026. Responses can be submitted by individuals, organisations, or groups.
If you’d like to talk through SRC’s involvement or how to make a response, get in touch with us at info@scottishrecoveryconsortium.org.
