Image: Young Conservatives, Frankie ‘Murdo’ Fraser and Malcolm ‘Milesian’ Briggs in 1963
Contrary
[Once more, the writer is not responsible for the headline. The Editor (14) takes the credit]
I had copied this over a couple of days ago, but decided it wasn’t that interesting to post as a potential post – I couldn’t think of much to say about it! Except maybe, good research, and interesting findings. But the whole thing seemed like a detail thing, to inform sentencing, which is what this news item says. Hearing on GMS this morning the sensationalisation of it, the suggestion that they won’t jail people below the age of 25… And that it needs a public consultation?! It may have wider implications for the wider world, but I am sure the judiciary are not going to be rushing into anything, sentencing younger people doesn’t mean they won’t go to jail! Anyway:
Finding that brains do not fully mature until 25 to inform sentencing of young people
https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/finding-that-brains-do-not-fully-mature-until-25-to-inform-sentencing-of-young-people
“The review findings confirm that the adolescent brain continues to develop into adulthood and does not reach full maturity until approximately 25-30 years of age.
The review, understood to be the first of its kind in the Scottish context, found that the areas of the brain governing emotion develop sooner than those which assist with cognitive abilities and self-control. This imbalance explains the increased risk-taking and emotionally driven behaviour commonly attributed to young people.
Furthermore, brain development may be delayed or hindered by other factors such as mental disorders and distress, adverse childhood experiences, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and alcohol and substance use. These contextual risks therefore introduce significant vulnerability in young people. The very nature of brain development during the transition to adulthood is often at the root of the risk-taking behaviour which can cause further damage to the already vulnerable younger brain.”
“All of this means that the younger brain is less well-equipped to enable good life choices and exert self-control, and is disproportionately vulnerable to the factors which can compound these problems.
As the brain continues to develop during our late teens and into our twenties, and in light of these wider findings, the research finds that there is a strong case for considering cognitive maturity in judicial decision-making up to at least age 25”
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
I would recommend as many people as possible to reply to the survey : https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk
Seems like a win-win system – fewer people in jail and more resources for rehabilitation. Remember that Nordic nations are closing jails because they don’t have enough people being sentenced to time. Plus they have far lower levels of criminal behaviour…
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Wow, they really are putting it out to public consultation – the Scottish Sentencing Council, it appears, is a relatively brand new thing, and this is their first public consultation. Very exciting! Thank you Bigjon999 – I agree folk should try and respond (makes us public look good and engaged etc), whatever your opinion. They might not ask again if we don’t bother!
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p.s. cracking good headline John, that should get folk’s attention 😉
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Since matters re. extortion being discussed perhaps this north brit former top tory honcho’s ‘extortionate’ ITV pay packet isn’t off topic. Link and snippets below:
https://www.thenational.scot/news/18270177.ruth-davidson-urged-quit-itv-appearance-fee-revealed/
RUTH Davidson has been urged to resign after it emerged she was paid £7500 on top of her Holyrood salary to appear as a pundit on ITV’s election night show.
The former Scottish Tory leader scooped the fee for her role in the broadcaster’s coverage on December 12.
NOTES for context:
(National Living Wage stands at £8.21 (per hour) for over-25s:
Col. Davidson faced criticism last year after accepting a further paid job as a consultant to a London PR firm, whilst still drawing her MSP salary and expenses. The plan was dropped.
The MSP, who earns around £64,000 a year at Holyrood, has also been tipped for the House of Lords.
She has been nominated for a peerage and has expressed an interest in sitting in the Lords.
£7,500 for a single election night chat? – Nice work if you can get it, eh? – Wonder if she has ever got around to holding a constituency surgery yet?)
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Not directly connected with this story, but I enjoyed a bbc R4 programme during the week that had various ‘heads of’ medical and medical related bodies all saying how ridiculous and dangerous the English nhs prescription charge regime is, and all, without exception, expressing the wish that England would become more like Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland….
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