In July 2024, Professor Susan McVie and Professor Lesley McAra published a briefing document titled ‘Scottish Prison Service policy briefing: Understanding pathways into and out of prison’. This document highlights key findings from the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime (ESYTC) as they relate to pathways into and out of imprisonment while setting out the main policy implications that flow from them.
This document draws heavily on findings from the ESTYC, which is a programme of research that has been running for over 25 years to examine the causes and consequences of young people’s involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour. The ESTYC is the only study of its kind in Scotland and of the most influential longitudinal studies internationally.
The briefing report includes data and descriptions from the lived experiences of prisoners along with relevant background context that helps situate the policy implications presented in the document. About this publication, Professor McVie said: “Understanding the views and experiences of people who have served one or more prison sentences is essential to improving service delivery and ensuring that people receive appropriate help and support from prison staff. Being able to provide a longitudinal perspective, which highlights how events in childhood and adolescence may have influenced people’s behaviour and life chances, is a key strength of the Edinburgh Study”.
Read and download the briefing report [PDF]
Professor Lesley McAra – Profile
Professor Susan McVie – Profile
