The Law School’s Professor Cyrus Tata has partnered with the independent company Ipsos Scotland to research public perceptions of sentencing.

The research examined five areas:

• Overall confidence in sentencing
• Community-based sentences
• Public perceptions of media reporting
• Cases of domestic abuse
• Sentencing people with mental health and developmental conditions

Building on earlier research in 2019 by Prof Tata with Ipsos Scotland, the latest research, commissioned by the Scottish Sentencing Council, was based on a nationally representative survey of Scottish adults.

Commenting on the research Prof Tata said:

“Our latest research reveals an in-depth picture about public perceptions of and attitudes to punishment and sentencing. There were commonalities, but also fascinating demographic differences of perception based on age, sex, education, etc of respondents.

“At first glance the public might seem very punitive. But when people are asked to consider case scenarios they tend to be less punitive and quite thoughtful.

“If as a nation, Scotland is to develop an informed and rational approach to criminal justice and sentencing then it’s vital we understand and engage with public perceptions, and try to dispel misperceptions. Doing nothing is not an option. Scotland needs to get much better at informing people about the normal reality of sentencing for different kinds of cases.”

Public Perceptions of Sentencing