Sign in

Hannah Graham

@drhannahgraham.bsky.social
2.8K followers 1K following 808 posts

Criminologist and academic | former Commissioner, Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission (2025-2026) | Scottish politics & policy #ScotPol | Personal account/views. 📍 Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Dani Garavelli @danigaravelli.bsky.social · 1h
Have banged on about this many times but I don’t think I’ve read a better new book in the last 10 years.
3103
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 2h
Reading with interest about our Sentencing & Penal Policy Commission's recommendations on front pages of the Scottish Daily Mail Parliament's Criminal Justice Committee have read and heard evidence of how other nations use diversion from prosecution, direct measures, restorative justice extensively
Front page of today's Scottish Daily Mail, with the headline, 'A SURRENDER TO CRIMINALS, Soft-touch row as prosecutors warned: Our jails are too full.' The leading story is by Home Affairs journalist at the Scottish Daily Mail, Graham Grant.Front page story of the Scottish Daily Mail continued in-depth on page 2, with photos of high security jails and a quote by and image of Stephen Kerr MSP.Image of the Scottish Daily Mail's Editorial column, titled 'SNP's prison policy rewards criminals'.
230
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 15h
James Acaster will be a gift 👏 #CelebrityTraitors #SpoilerAlert
Screenshot of James Acaster on Great British Bake-Off, with some added Celebrity Traitors captioning.
0201
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 20h
Someone put FOI request to Scottish Prisons about numbers of foreign national prisoners (with country breakdowns) compared to British prisoners for sexual offences. Approx. 10× the number of Brits in Scottish prisons for sex crimes compared to all foreign nationals. 🔗 www.sps.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
Four pages of screenshot of the FOI response by Scottish Prison Service
232
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Reform UK MSP Thomas Kerr has posted a video saying, "this bunch of lefty tossers might not be interested in...", pointing at Scottish Parliament. His Instagram posts as an MSP are certainly interesting. This is not a compliment.
Screenshot of Thomas Kerr MSP's Instagram video of him speaking outside Holyrood, with the caption saying "tossers", pointing at Parliament.
032
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Hidden Door @hiddendoorarts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Artists and Makers! Apply to be part of the Hidden Door Winter Art Market - showcase and sell your work directly to the public in the heart of Edinburgh ❤️ 📍 The Hub, Castlehill 🗓️ 11-13 December Flat rate per table, no commission on sales Details: hiddendoorarts.org/winter-marke...
042
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
'10 universities reported adjusted operating deficits in 2024‑25, with the same number forecasting deficits for 2026‑27, despite an increase in SFC funding'.
163
Reposted by Hannah Graham
David Leask @leaskyd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Really keen to hear from people who want to holiday in Scotland but find it too expensive
145
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Two-thirds of Scottish colleges and universities forecast deficits www.heraldscotland.com/news/2659654...
heraldscotland.com
Two-thirds of Scottish colleges and universities forecast deficits
A new report highlights financial pressures on Scotland’s tertiary education sector, with the SFC showing that two-thirds of institutions will…
010
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
First Minister's statement to Scottish Parliament today on the roles and functions of Scotland's Law Officers An independent review on the future functions and responsibilities of the Scottish Law Officers will be chaired by Lord Boyd. He will appoint a reference group. www.gov.scot/publications...
gov.scot
The Roles and Functions of Scotland’s Law Officers: First Minister's Statement
Statement by First Minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
145
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Let me get this clear: We're in midst of "epidemic" of violence against women We're fixing an equal pay injustice for women ...by forcing pay cuts on domestic abuse workers supporting women?! Domestic abuse workers face £11k pay cut under new #Glasgow Council scheme www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Domestic abuse workers face £11k pay cut under new council scheme
Staff are concerned the cuts will put vulnerable women using council services at further risk.
033
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It is a relief that this "major incident" at Polmont was resolved and didn't turn into an even more serious situation. Still, it is an illustration of the pressures in our crowded prisons. Armed prisoners rioted at young offenders jail as facility locked down www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/armed-p...
dailyrecord.co.uk
Armed prisoners rioted at Scotland young offenders jail as facility locked down
Armed prisoners sparked a major protest at Scotland’s young offenders jail, forcing part of the facility into lockdown, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
020
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 26/09/2026
Incredible: another Ukrainian famine is unfolding, this time in Russian-occupied Oleshky. The remaining inhabitants of what used to be a thriving small city, now down to about 6000 people, are blockaded by Russian forces and cut off from food and water. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Oleshky: Eating garden weeds to survive in Russian-occupied city cut off from food and water
The BBC has spoken to residents in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky who say they are being "constantly shelled".
7518891170
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The Dutch government has been holding community role plays for emergency preparedness & an advice app which works even without internet. Emergency hubs and support points have been set up. The UK needs to learn from others & go beyond telling us to buy some canned goods… www.ft.com/content/127a...
ft.com
Europe prepares for life ‘between war and peace’
Dutch lead civilian drills to withstand Russian sabotage and natural disasters
53815
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Sorry, what??! This is sooooo problematic. #HigherEd #Academia #AI
130
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Firing and rehiring workers in a race to beat employment laws which may render that unlawful sounds... dreadful?! Glasgow City Council to sack all non teaching staff after equal pay talks collapse. Dismissal letters go out to 23,000–25,000 workers next week. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2657898...
heraldscotland.com
Glasgow City Council to sack all non teaching staff after equal pay talks collapse
Glasgow City Council will issue dismissal notices to up to 25,000 non-teaching staff next week after Unison withdrew from an equal pay deal that GMB…
012
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Racist hate crimes in Glasgow up 34% in one year I don't think Police Scotland's description that racist hate crimes "may be attributed to ongoing community tensions" is precise enough. Be clearer. Don't risk accidentally legitimising hate as "tensions". www.heraldscotland.com/news/2657945...
heraldscotland.com
Racist hate crimes in Glasgow up 34 per cent as police warn of community tensions
Racist hate crimes have risen by 34 per cent as Police Scotland warns of community tensions.
2216
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
An important and independent officeholder role is currently being advertised by @scotparl.bsky.social Scotland's first Victims and Witnesses Commissioner Location: Edinburgh. Salary: £96,353 – £121,139. 🔗 www.parliament.scot/about/how-pa... #Vacancy #Victims #JobAd
A purple graphic saying 'Job Vacancy: Scotland's first Victims and Witnesses Commissioner', with an image of a law book and a gavel in the background.
001
Reposted by Hannah Graham
The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A proposal which would have allowed Turnitin to use student submissions to train AI models has sparked outrage from student leaders
thenational.scot
Students demand reassurance after Turnitin U‑turn on AI‑training plan
098
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
👇 This is really interesting – for those in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 & 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, watch this space... A major challenge will be getting a Government and a Parliament with the courage and will to act on its findings. MPs, trade unions and police call for a Royal Commission on the Justice System insidetime.org/newsround/mp...
insidetime.org
MPs, trade unions and police call for a Royal Commission on the Justice System
Parliamentarians, trade union leaders and rank-and-file police officers have joined forces to call on the Government to order a Royal Commission on Prisons and the Justice System. A joint letter to…
000
Reposted by Hannah Graham
elia ayoub @ayoub.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Video of the fascist Danny Tommo slashing a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) boat rescuing migrants at sea www.instagram.com/reel/DdmJaD4...
12561301
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
literally thousands of jobs in higher education were cut *last year alone* and there's been almost no media coverage and no government action
8698221
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I'll read and follow with interest anyway, but critical questions on my mind: what will these proposals mean for Justice Social Work? And for community justice? #SocialWork #PublicSectorReform www.gov.scot/publications...
gov.scot
001
Reposted by Hannah Graham
JUSTICE @justicehq.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The UK is safer & stronger with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). New paper sets out how ECHR membership supports national security, international cooperation & UK influence abroad. Ft. foreword by Lord Carlile, @bricksilk.bsky.social & Sir Max Hill. justice.org.uk/news/former-...
086
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Daniel Thomas, the far-right agitator who has brought Dover and Portsmouth to standstills and closed down an RNLI station, is fundraising for a boat. There's just one problem. We can reveal his followers bought him one already... and he sank it. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
thetimes.com
Danny Tommo’s boat for policing Channel accidentally sinks
Daniel Thomas, whose Patriot Platform group caused havoc in Dover and Portsmouth, had purchased the vessel to interfere with Border Force operations
24816
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I am interested in how they will do this. The Scottish Prison Service has struggled to fill the Open Estate (Castle Huntly); it has sat with some cells empty. There aren't big waiting lists to get in, so they are going to need to fix the problems with progression. www.dailymail.com/news/article...
dailymail.com
Criminals to be locked up in 'prefab prisons' at Scotland's open jail
Criminals could soon be locked up in 'prefab prisons' in a bid to tackle the overcrowding crisis in Scotland's jails.
110
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This is punitive pandering, and it exposes an embarrassing lack of good policy ideas. Parents could lose their benefits or face prison sentences for their children's crimes under reforms to youth justice in England & Wales, Minister Jake Richards has said #YouthJustice www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Parents could face prison for child's crimes under justice reforms, minister says
The reforms to Parenting Orders could also see parents losing benefits, Jake Richards MP told the Times.
192
Reposted by Hannah Graham
James Ball @jamesrball.com · 18/09/2026
It is incredibly important that political violence does not succeed. The far-right mob that shut down Portsmouth wanted this outcome. If the state wishes to avoid more of these actions, it needs to make sure this RNLI branch reopens *immediately*, or as close to that as humanly possible.
411207369
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Eternally grateful to have grown up in a (loving, supportive) family that is avidly against "stalker apps" and any form of monitoring each other. We didn't phone or text much, unless needed. Trust, independence, and privacy are precious things. Safety is better thought through without surveillance.
242
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Nordic News @nordicnews.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Opposition wins Swedish general election by three seats Source: Sveriges Radio #val #riksdagsval #sweden
186
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco @joshpizpom.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
EXC: 90 programmes in Edinburgh University's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are to be closed. The casualties, which include 48 language and literature programmes, will be 'taught out', w/ no admissions after 2027. @heraldscotland.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2655839...
heraldscotland.com
Ninety programmes to close at leading university as savings plan takes shape
According to the document, a total of 90 programmes will be “taught out” over the next several years, including 48 in the School of Language.
17111150
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Well, if it isn't the consequences of the Government’s own inactions on the prisons crisis... Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show. Prisons in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 & 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 asked to add second beds in "pods", in breach of safe occupancy limits. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show
Exclusive: Ten category C prisons in England and Wales asked to add second beds, in breach of safe occupancy limits
061
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A Police Scotland officer has been convicted of a catalogue of sex crimes over a 17 year period, including 2 counts of rape, indecent assault, assault with intent to rape, and assault to injury and danger of life. He retired from the force after his arrest. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Police officer guilty of series of rapes and sex offences over 17 years
Campbell Petrie, 50, was convicted of nine charges which took place between 2006 and 2023.
020
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The MoJ in England & Wales is piloting Check-In with your probation officer (E-Supervision). Amazon's AWS Rekognition is used for identity verification by biometric facial recognition. What has #Probation become? 😟 Don't need tech if you can recognise people you work with www.gov.uk/algorithmic-...
gov.uk
MoJ: Check-In with your probation officer (E-Supervision)
AWS Rekognition is used within the Check-In with your probation officer service to support identity verification by performing facial comparison between user-submitted video and a photo held on file.
221
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Erik Angner @erikangner.com · 13/09/2026
The story may be young men. They leaned strongly right four years ago but according to polls now tilt left. This is an extraordinary shift over the course of only four years www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
19325
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Really interesting hearing from @upsidescotland.bsky.social on experiences of remand, short prison sentences, & throughcare. People with lived experience co-produced video with Theatre of the Oppressed, read powerful poetry, launched #UpsideVoices report, + keynote by @philcrockettthomas.bsky.social
Photo of David Kidd from Sacro speaking in front of a large PowerPoint backdrop saying 'Upside Voices Launch Event'.Photo of Dr Phil Crockett Thomas from the University of Stirling speaking in front of a large PowerPoint backdrop saying 'Creativity and Justice'.
032
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Stark warning from the Scottish Courts Chief Exec, Malcolm Graham: "victims could be waiting up to four years in the High Court if we don’t intervene and do something differently from the time that they report their crime to the time that the case is resolved.” www.scottishlegal.com/articles/hig...
scottishlegal.com
High Court delays could undermine rule of law, warns SCTS chief
Scotland’s justice system risks undermining the rule of law as complainers could face High Court delays of up to four years, the head of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has warn...
000
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
It is good that this is being looked at, and a credit to those who have campaigned for it. Protecting the safety and rights of the child is profoundly important. Review of sex offenders' parental rights a 'huge relief', says Fife mum news.stv.tv/scotland/mum...
news.stv.tv
Review of sex offenders' parental rights a 'huge relief', says Fife mum
A mum whose former partner was convicted of possessing child abuse images says a review of parental rights for offenders is a 'huge relief'
000
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Reform UK MSP David Smith asks the First Minister about whether the Scottish Government would consider imposing restrictions on Muslim women wearing the burqa in Scotland. John Swinney's response is spot on. #FMQs
714358
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
'The solution is not in prison': The magistrate who helped rewrite Belgium's rules of crime and punishment Following serious issues of prison overcrowding, Belgium 🇧🇪 pursues sentencing reform and penal reform by rewriting its Criminal Code. #decarceration www.brusselstimes.com/2300821/the-...
brusselstimes.com
'The solution is not in prison': The magistrate who helped rewrite Belgium's rules of crime and punishment
One of the minds behind Belgium's new Criminal Code explains why prison is not the answer to every crime, stating that justice ought to be restorative.
130
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Andy Burnham quietly comes to Scotland, not for speaking to Scots as part of his 'listening tour', nor speaking to the Scottish press, but to see the King. There was a sizeable press pack (though not ScotPol) at Braemar Highland Gathering, but not at Balmoral. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottis...
dailyrecord.co.uk
Andy Burnham joins King and Queen at church service in Scotland
King Charles III and Queen Camila were joined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a service at Crathie Kirk.
2124
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Beautiful Braemar. Good for this at any time of year, but particularly ✨️fascinating✨️ for people watching today. #Braemar #Aberdeenshire #Cairngorms #HighlandGathering
030
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation. 🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
channel4news.substack.com
Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
46894603996
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I enjoyed the opportunity to give evidence to the Criminal Justice Committee at Scottish Parliament Fellow witnesses Dr Cara Jardine and Tracey McFall were clear and principled in discussing bail and remand Good questions by MSPs in a session of 3 panels 🔗 www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/crim...
Photo of Dr Hannah Graham, with long brown curly hair and wearing an olive green coloured suit jacket, speaking as a former Commissioner in the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, in a light wood panelled Committee room in Holyrood today.Photo of, from left to right, Dr Hannah Graham, Tracey McFall, and Dr Cara Jardine, in a light wood panelled Committee room at Scottish Parliament, with the Deputy Convener very kindly calling us "a stellar panel of experts".
060
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee will be getting a new Convener, as @alynsmith.bsky.social (briefly unwell, so missed Committee today) is appointed as Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education. Bit of a tough gig, but I think he'll enjoy it www.gov.scot/news/alyn-sm...
gov.scot
Alyn Smith joins Government
FM announces new Minister for Innovation, Technology & Tertiary Education.
021
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Enjoyed the opportunity to give evidence to Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee today as a former Commissioner in the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission. Good questions across a really interesting set of 3 panels.
040
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A reminder for those following penal policy developments that, even with today's announcement in England & Wales of more groups of prisoners "being excluded from early release" there, *they will still be released after serving two thirds (67%)* * unless Burnham changes that, too. ▪︎ 👇 Image by IfG.
A very complex and detailed graphic with bar charts produced by the Institute for Government to explain the early release policy in England and Wales.
001
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Iceland's EU referendum sees high preliminary voter turnout today in expected close race #Iceland #EU www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
euronews.com
Iceland's EU referendum sees high preliminary voter turnout
In Reykjavík, voter turnout was higher by noon than at the same time during the 2024 parliamentary election, local media reported. #EuropeNews
061
Reposted by Hannah Graham
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
🔴 NEW: Special advisers accepted hospitality from lobbyists and businesses 700 times + since Labour took power Glastonbury tickets, Taylor Swift, UFC fights + more SpAds sit outside the UK lobbying rules. So no one knows what was actually discussed🧵 democracyforsale.substack.com/p/the-700-fr...
democracyforsale.substack.com
The 700 freebies: how lobbyists and businesses courted Labour's special advisers
A Democracy for Sale investigation reveals the scale of hospitality accepted by ‘spads’ – and how little the public is allowed to know about it
27382250