Blog: Building Hope: Art, Architecture, and the Possibility of Abolition - Paisley Book Festival Dr Kirstin Anderson, lecturer in criminology at Edinburgh Napier University, and Professor Yvonne Jewkes, one of the

Many thanks to @joesmithcreative.bsky.social for an excellent write up of our session at the Paisley Book Festival last month paisleybookfestival.com/blog-buildin...

Hatred of police not racism motivated children in English riots, report finds Children’s commissioner says young people involved in disorder felt disempowered and saw chance to retaliate

Hatred of police not racism motivated children in English riots, report finds: "there’s a tradition in [my city] of people versus police. We had an opportunity." www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

The Politics of Policing: Counterterrorism, Spycops, and the Illusion of Democracy - Erasmus Research In a Bluesky post linking to his Guardian article, George Monbiot states: “Perhaps Prevent failed to pick up on the danger signs from Axel Rudakubana partly because, in common with other anti-terroris...

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social is right to point out that political capture has compromised counterterrorism policing. We would suggest that the political policing of domestic populations is central to understanding why a domestic police force was formed. #spycops erasmusresearch.com/the-politics...

The Plot Against America How a Dangerous Ideology Born From the Libertarian Movement Stands Ready to Seize America

"DOGE is not about efficiency. It is about erasure. Democracy is being deleted in slow motion, replaced by proprietary technology and AI models. It is a coup, executed not with guns, but with backend migrations and database wipes" www.notesfromthecircus.com/p/the-plot-a...

🔴 NEW: A 22-year-old man died alone in his cell at Scotland’s only private prison after waiting months for mental health support. Now his family plans to sue HMP Addiewell, claiming it failed in its duty of care.

Read the full story: bit.ly/41RmLev

We're following #NOLR. You can find out more about OLRs here 👇

How You Can help - OLR Campaign The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies published a report in 2022 which likened indeterminate sentences to psychological torture.

Want to help? Go to nolr.org/how-you-can-..., where you can find a template letter to your MSP, make a donation or contact us and join us as a member.

Highlighting the Problems of the OLR Sentence in Scotland - Erasmus Research By Nicola Ceesay (Doctoral Candidate, University of Glasgow) and Margaret Malloch (Professor of Criminology, University of Stirling). A recently formed group, NOLR, is leading a social media campaign ...

New campaign starting today highlighting the injustice of the Order of Lifelong Restriction (OLR) in Scotland. Read our blog explaining the problems with the OLR. Follow the campaign #NOLR erasmusresearch.com/highlighting...

So few people are prepared to talk about these topics. We need to amplify the voices of those who do. Please have a read and share the blog.
#livedexperience #criminal-justice

We must seize the opportunity to fix our broken prisons No one would disagree that the prison system is in crisis. The upcoming sentencing review presents us with a chance for real change.

"Our prisons are so broken that we can't carry on. Politicians may disagree on how we fix the penal system, but everyone can agree that reform is needed."

Our Chief Executive, Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), wrote an opinion piece for @bigissue.com: www.bigissue.com/opinion/pris...

‘Too many ex-prisoners are being recalled to prison’ Recalls have risen by 12,000 in 30 years, largely due to non-compliance with licence conditions rather than reoffending, says the chief inspector of probation

Too many ex-prisoners are being recalled to jail because of "excessive" licensing conditions, the probation watchdog tells @thetimes Crime & Justice Commission: www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...

@rachelsylvester.bsky.social

📢 The Power of Words: Challenging Media Narratives 📢

The media plays a huge role in shaping public perception of those affected by the criminal justice system.

🖱️ Visit our website for more tips on navigating the media: www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/topic/the-me...

Amplifying Voices survey Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey for our Amplifying Voices project. The aim of our Amplifying Voices project is to make sure that the views of people with a criminal record, or w...

📋 Take Our Survey forms.gle/oCrkRFJ5QBtm...
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Do you live in #Scotland?
Do you or a family member have a #criminal conviction? We’re conducting a major survey to gather insights into:
✔️ The challenges people face
✔️ The real impacts on your life
✔️ What changes could make things better
#criminalrecord

Are you or a loved one currently involved with or have past experience with the criminal justice system? Our private Facebook group is here to offer support, share resources, and create a safe space for connection. 💙

📲 Find out more and join here: www.facebook.com/groups/nextc...

💬 If you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. You’re not alone—Next Chapter Scotland is here to walk with you every step of the way.

📧 Contact us at support@nextchapterscotland.com
📞 Call us at 0330 355 7145

#NextChapterScotland #SupportWithoutJudgment #WeAreHereForYou

As we prepare to welcome 2025, we’re reflecting on a year of growth, resilience, and connection.
With the new year comes new opportunities to amplify voices, challenge discrimination, and provide unwavering support. We’re energized and ready to continue standing alongside you, every step of the way.

🔍 Day 17 of Our Advent Calendar

Did you know you can request search engines to remove outdated or inaccurate links about you? This is often referred to as the “Right to be Forgotten.”

#AdventSupport #RightToBeForgotten #NextChapterScotland #YourNextChapter

Wee Winter Watercolour Challenge Day 17. #Watercolour #art #painting #Winter #advent #LetItSnow

🎄 Day 14 of our Criminal Justice Advent Calendar 🎄

At Next Chapter Scotland, we advocate for inclusivity and understanding at every level. Let’s work together toward a more equitable system. 💙

#CriminalJusticeAdvent #DisabilityAwareness #InclusivityMatters #NextChapterScotland

Wee Winter Watercolour Challenge. Day 14. Another one I did for my Maw. #Watercolour #winter #art #advent #PaulClark

Wee Winter Watercolour Challenge Day 15. #Watercolour #winter #art #painting #advent

Raids, Arrests, and the Politics of Counterterrorism - Erasmus Research Last week, counterterrorism police launched a series of 2 a.m. raids on the homes of Kurdish families. Seven individuals were arrested and detained under terrorism charges. There was a simultaneous ra...

As the 6 arrested members of the Kurdish community in London are today charged under terrorism legislation for their support of the PKK, our short blog exposes their long-running persecution by the British Security State. Read on to find out why. #Kurds
erasmusresearch.com/raids-arrest...

Britain leads the world in cracking down on climate activism, study finds Research shows UK police arrest environmental and climate protesters at three times the average global rate

Research shows Britain is leading the world in the criminalisation and repression of climate activism www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Wee Winter Watercolour Challenge. Day 13. Remembering Wesson and Seago. #Watercolour #art #painting #Wesson #Seago

BP's yearly profits have averaged about a half of the cost of the NHS over the last 20 years.

We owned that until Margaret Thatcher sold it for pennies.

Half of everyone's medical treatment could be free if she hadn't been allowed to.

132 years ago this cartoon was drawn, and in 132 years the problem has only gotten worse.

Privatisation has failed. It is time to renationalise.

Water
Power
Royal Mail
Rail
National Grid
Telecoms

Everything that we are going to use every day forever, we don't want to rent it at ripoff prices.

We want to own it.

Just read your impact report. An amazing organisation and inspirational that you put people with lived experience at the heart of it. When we live in a country like Scotland who seem to criminalise a disproportionately high amount of it’s citizens this work is so necessary and important 👏

🌟 Spotlight Friday: Highlighting Unseen Victims 🌟

This week, we’re shining light on Unseen Victims, a vital initiative dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by criminal investigations into sexual offences.

Learn more about their efforts at unseenvictims.org.uk