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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

OLRs are receiving increasing scrutiny in Scotland. New research has examined how the sentence operates in practice. Now the focus must be on what happens next. We will continue raising questions and calling for meaningful reform.

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Questions are being put directly to the Scottish Government about OLRs. Has the original purpose of the OLR been adhered to — and should the sentence be reviewed? Answers are expected on 28 September. We’ll be watching closely. #OLR #CriminalJustice #NOLR #Scotland

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Questions are being raised about how OLRs operate in Scotland. New RMA research identifies areas for improvement, while questions in Parliament have focused on support, progression and whether OLRs are operating as intended. These issues deserve proper examination. #NOLR #OLR #Scotland

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

⚖️ DID YOU KNOW? An Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) is a lifelong sentence. Serving the punishment part does not mean automatic release. If released, the individual remains subject to lifelong risk management. 🔁 Help raise awareness of Scotland’s OLR.

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

⚖️ NEW RESEARCH ON SCOTLAND’S OLR The Risk Management Authority has published new research examining how the Order for Lifelong Restriction operates in practice. Here are some of the findings 🧵👇

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

📌 OLR FACTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW We’re starting a series explaining the facts surrounding Orders for Lifelong Restriction (OLRs) in Scotland.

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Reposted by NOLR Campaign Scotland

Marguerite Schinkel @margueritesch.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

We should find a way to tackle harm in society instead of focussing all our anxiety on a few individuals while lots of the same goes on outside. Reports do not reduce harm. See e.g. transformharm.org for better ideas.

transformharm.org

TransformHarm.org | A Resource Hub For Ending Violence

TransformHarm.org is a resource hub for ending violence. It offers an introduction to transformative justice. You can use what is here, and submit recommendations.

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

MSP Pauline McNeil who was an MSP when OLR sentence was being passed through parliament stated in June 2026 “that the eventual outcome was nothing like what she thought it would be when she supported it” so what is the step forward when official bodies are admitting faults… #Scotslaw #OLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

During the meeting the Scottish Human Rights Committee also documented that there they have concerns that there is implications with the OLR sentence & Human Rights of an Individual under Article 5 (Liberty) and Article 8 (Family & Private Life) #Scotslaw #NOLR #Scotsright

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

This is the full minutes of the round table discussion regarding OLRs in Scotland. Where there has been concerns admitted in Parliament with the of few OLRs being released, unproven/alleged conduct in risk assessments, course availability…. www.parliament.scot/-/media/file...

parliament.scot

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In March 2026 there was a meeting which was officially recorded in relation to OLRs which we as a campaign attended and raised our concerns within Scottish Parliament. Scotlands Criminal Justice Committee released their report & admitted to concerns regarding the OLR sentence. #NOLR #Scotsright

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It’s amazing to see things hopefully moving forward regarding the IPP sentences in England & Wales. Meanwhile in Scotland we still have individuals detained indefinitely with no hope of getting out, people serving years over their punishment tariff. #NOLR #scotsrights

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

For anyone who doesn’t understand what the Order Lifelong Restriction means in Scotland this may help. However, it is barbaric that in the 22st century we are detaining people YEARS after their punishment part. #OLR #nolr #wewantchange

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Our Founder of the NOLR Campaign Shirley Hutton done an interview with the BBC to raise awareness and speak about the OLR Sentence itself back in 2025 last year @scotlandnewstoday.bsky.social @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social

nolr.org

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Statement from the Founder of NOLR These letters are printed without edit and are the words and views of people serving the OLR Sentence. They may not represent the views of NOLR. I want to...

nolr.org

Statement from the Founder of NOLR

These letters are printed without edit and are the words and views of people serving the OLR Sentence. They may not represent the views of NOLR. I want to be...

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Lloyd MacDonald I am Lloyd MacDonald and I am serving an Order of Lifelong Restriction sentence. I was sentenced to a punishment of 14 months yet I have served 14 years... nolr.org/lloyd-macdonald

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Rana Singh OLR review, the truth of what actually transpires. I do hope it is not too presumptuous to have decided to enlighten you from a perspective that you may not... nolr.org/rana-singh

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

The OLR violates the basic principles of justice and has no place in Scotland if it wishes to be a fair and progressive country. 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.

nolr.org

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.

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

'I think an awful lot of this is about the containment of anxiety and I think it makes us feel an awful lot better to have spent thousands of pounds on a snazzy report, it makes us feel better' (Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist) #NOLR #JusticeSystem

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

When you are on an OLR, the system is so rigid and it is so bureaucratic, it’s not like any other long sentence because it has so many extra layers of bureaucracy, so it is easier being a life sentenced prisoner (Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist) #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

'I think one of the biggest flaws for me is that it's under-resourced, and there isn't enough case managers, there is not enough specialist services' (Policy professional, RMA) #JusticeScot #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

The OLR no's increase and we don’t have the capacity to manage them effectively. Then it impacts on the life population … it was just assumed that we dealt with what was given to us, but the practical application of it was not realised and then it got worse and worse and worse (Prison manager)

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

''You've got some OLRs that have the tiniest punishment part, you're talking months, up to a few years. So, by the time they access any kind of intervention they are already post tariff...” (Forensic psychologist) #NOLR #JustcieReform

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

'A lot of what the OLR was about was the preparation of the risk assessment. Nobody needs an assessment, they need the outcome of the assessment to be delivered, too often the assessment becomes an end in itself' (Former member, Parole Board for Scotland) #ScotJustice #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

'He's not motivated to progress with anything. He is too reluctant three years in to have any type of relationship, form peers or get a job because he's like, what's the point? I’ve got an OLR' (Community Justice Social Worker) #NOLR #CommunityJustice

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

One prisoner said,“I have to accept I’m never gonnae get out of jail, I’m gonnae die in here”. He got an 18-month sentence and was slapped with an OLR and he’s thinking, “I could die in this place”. (Prison Chaplain) #NOLR #CriminalJusticeReform

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Today we are drawing on Nicola Ceesay’s forthcoming PhD thesis to highlight the perspectives of practitioners. #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

‘I’ has offered her nephew a home and a family if he was ever to be released. She acknowledges he would be one of the lucky ones. She supports the NOLR Campaign, ‘for ‘J’ and all other young men whom have been handed this inhumane, barbaric sentence’ #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

‘I love ‘J’ dearly and am devastated at how he has been treated by the system, which is supposedly in place to protect vulnerable children and young adults but has badly failed him and traumatized him even further by their handling of his case’ #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

She is proud of how he has dealt with adversity and acknowledges his faults. ‘We have discussed his situation several times and ‘J’ has been very honest and open about what he has done, hasn't done and what he hopes for his future’ #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

'J’ spent his life in care, being physically, sexually and mentally abused. ‘I’ states ‘he was always going to be safer being kept away from his mother and her family’. She respects how he has 'spent those long years in prison reading, learning and bettering himself'. #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

‘I’ worries for her nephew ‘J’ who was 21 when he got an OLR. His punishment tariff was 2 ½ years and he remains in prison after 14 years. Through her own career ‘I’ is aware of research showing that young males' brains are not fully developed into maturity until the age of 25 #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

‘L’ sees his family isolated from others and says it’s is ‘mentally torturing as you have very little to no hope and are constantly facing parole hearings and continuously telling your family outside to have hope but in reality you have no hope yourself of ever getting out’.

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

His Mum is frustrated by the management of OLR’s. She sees her son’s struggle as those with ‘liberation dates’ take priority. ‘Many SPS staff don’t even seem to understand the OLR. They don’t understand what it’s like to have absolutely no hope at the end of the tunnel’. #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

His Mum feels the professionals involved with her son did not fully realise the consequences of the OLR. One social worker informed ‘L’ that she ‘didn’t expect him to spend that long in prison and was only there to get the help they felt he needed’ #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

He states ‘they have to deal with the ripple effect of you being in prison, probably for life, and you lose friends or have people talking about you or isolate them from their friends or their support network so it is not just us in prison who are suffering.’ #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

‘L’ remains in prison 13 years after receiving an OLR with a punishment tariff of 14 months aged 22. He is aware of the impact his OLR has on his family. He says ‘‘The OLR is inhumane for the prisoner but also for the family’

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

4. In deciding to support her son she has lost people in her life and feels isolated. She is trying to stay positive for him. He has told her to forget him and get on with her life. He feels his only way of coping is by ‘disengaging and self-harming, which is being used against me’ #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

3. There is help available for her son outside the prison setting and it is being offered for free. Her son cannot progress without this help but he cannot access it. It is frustrating for her to see him suffer. #NOLR

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NOLR Campaign Scotland @nolrscotland.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Her son has experienced many traumas in his life, including sexual and physical abuse. He was witness to murders and suicides at a young age and has himself attempted suicide several times. She is struggling to process why he has never received help in prison. #NOLR

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