 Lord MacLean has been a judge since 1990 |
The new body set up to examine sentencing in Scotland's courts is meeting for the first time. The Sentencing Commission has been created by the Scottish Executive to try to rebuild trust in the justice system.
Its first task will be to assess the supervision of prisoners on probation or bail, but it will go on to look at ways of ensuring consistency in sentencing.
Scotland's justice system has come under scrutiny in the last few months after a series of controversial sentences.
Early release
One man was sentenced to five years in jail for raping a 13-month-old baby.
Top judge Lord MacLean has been appointed chairman of the body, which will report to ministers on how well public safety is protected by Scottish courts.
It will go on to examine "lenient" sentencing, whether sentencing works in reducing re-offending and how fines are determined.
The panel of 16 - drawn from the police, social work and voluntary bodies - will also look closely at the issues surrounding the early release of prisoners.
The commission has been set up to report to the Scottish Executive over the next two years and will then disband if its work is complete.
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