A Wee Chat About Justice

Risk Management Authority

A Wee Chat About Justice is a new podcast discussing themes in justice, forensic psychology and social work, brought to you by the Risk Management Authority. Each episode, we look at what's happening in justice in Scotland and across the world, look at new research and evidence of what works, and consider what changes we might like to see for the Scottish system. For more information on the work of the Risk Management Authority see: www.rma.scot Music 'Wings of Liberty' via Pixabay License

Episodes

  1. Episode 10: Notification Requirements: Purpose, Process and Impact

    May 21

    Episode 10: Notification Requirements: Purpose, Process and Impact

    The UK Sex Offender Register (SOR) was introduced in the 1990s to support public protection. In Scotland, this is known as Notification Requirements. In this epsiode we're talking about what the system is and how it came about, we consider the benefits and drawbacks to how it works, and discuss existing research on the systems in the UK and internationally, including reducing reoffending and the impact on people and communities.   Find out more about the work of the RMA: Home - RMA - Risk Management Authority References & Useful Links Sex offenders register explained | Scottish Sentencing Council 2025 - Ansbro & Fitzgibbon - UK Sex Offender Register - Has Net Been Cast Too Wide. The UK sex offender register: Has the net been cast too wide? - Maria Ansbro, Wendy Fitzgibbon, 2025 2014 - Carr - The Effect of Sex Offender Registries on Recidivism. (99+) The Effect of Sex Offender Registries on Recidivism: Evidence from a Natural Experiment 2025 - Hanson et al - How Public Registries Obscure Sexual Recidivism Risk Evidence from State Administrative Data. How public registries obscure sexual recidivism risk: Evidence from state administrative data. 2006 - Wakefield - The Vilification of Sex Offenders. Do Laws Targeting Sex Offenders Increase Recidivism and Sexual Violence. The Vilification of Sex Offenders: Do Laws Targeting Sex Offenders Increase Recidivism and Sexual Violence? | IPCE

    1h 8m

  2. Mar 2

    Episode 9: Algorithms, AI and Online Harm (Part 2)

    We know that social media has played a large part in radicalisation over the years. Continual development of platforms, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the effect of the attention economy may be increasing the risk of online harm poses to our communities. In these episodes, our Research and Development team talk about online spaces to consider the impact on vulnerable populations, the process of implementing safeguards and restrictions; and how legislation must be shaped to help keep communities safe in the digital age.  This is the second part of a two-part episode. Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot References & Useful Links Ashurst, L., & McAlinden, A. M. (2015). Young people, peer-to-peer grooming and sexual offending: Understanding and responding to harmful sexual behaviour within a social media society. Probation Journal, 62(4), 374-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550515619572 Fisico, R., & Harkins, L. (2021). Technology and sexual offending. Current psychiatry reports, 23(9), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01269-1  Kenyon, J., Binder, J., & Baker‑Beall, C. (2022, December 8). The Internet and radicalisation pathways: Technological advances, relevance of mental health and role of attackers. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-and-radicalisation-pathways-technological-advances-relevance-of-mental-health-and-role-of-attackers Ofcom (2025). Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2025 Slavtcheva-Petkova, V., Nash, V. J., & Bulger, M. (2015). Evidence on the extent of harms experienced by children as a result of online risks: implications for policy and research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(1), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.934387

    58 min

  3. Mar 2

    Episode 8: Algorithms, AI and Online Harm (Part 1)

    We know that social media has played a large part in radicalisation over the years. Continual development of platforms, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the effect of the attention economy may be increasing the risk of online harm poses to our communities. In these episodes, our Research and Development team talk about online spaces to consider the impact on vulnerable populations, the process of implementing safeguards and restrictions; and how legislation must be shaped to help keep communities safe in the digital age.  This is the first part of a two-part episode. Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot References & Useful Links Ashurst, L., & McAlinden, A. M. (2015). Young people, peer-to-peer grooming and sexual offending: Understanding and responding to harmful sexual behaviour within a social media society. Probation Journal, 62(4), 374-388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0264550515619572 Fisico, R., & Harkins, L. (2021). Technology and sexual offending. Current psychiatry reports, 23(9), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01269-1  Kenyon, J., Binder, J., & Baker‑Beall, C. (2022, December 8). The Internet and radicalisation pathways: Technological advances, relevance of mental health and role of attackers. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-and-radicalisation-pathways-technological-advances-relevance-of-mental-health-and-role-of-attackers Ofcom (2025). Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2025 Slavtcheva-Petkova, V., Nash, V. J., & Bulger, M. (2015). Evidence on the extent of harms experienced by children as a result of online risks: implications for policy and research. Information, Communication & Society, 18(1), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.934387

    47 min
  4. Episode 7: Selecting Approaches for Effectively Responding to Risk

    10/21/2025

    Episode 7: Selecting Approaches for Effectively Responding to Risk

    It's been a long time coming! We're proud to be able to launch our newest online directory, Selecting Approaches for Effectively Responding to Risk (SAFERR). In this episode, Geoff talks to our Researcher Jihad Diab and our Chief Executive Mark McSherry, about the challenges of translating complex information into an accessible online directory. SAFERR is specifically focussed on the implementation and evaluation of a variety of risk management approaches in the context of their application to forensic populations. SAFERR is ongoing and we're keen to receive feedback on how we can continue to improve what we do to support colleagues working in public protection.  Have a look at SAFERR: https://saferr.rma.scot/ Find out more about the work of the RMA: https://www.rma.scot/

    46 min

  5. 07/24/2025 ·  Bonus

    Episode 6: Dr Rajan Darjee - Bonus Feature-Length Episode

    In this bonus feature length episode, we're thrilled to welcome Dr Rajan Darjee to the podcast. Raj has worked in forensic psychiatry for over 20 years, beginning in the UK and now more recently working in Australia. Raj has been an Accredited Risk Assessor with the Risk Management Authority, a vital role in the Scottish justice system when an Order for Lifelong Restriction is being considered. He has worked in secure hospital, prison and community settings, and has extensive experience of working with people who have committed, or are at risk of committing, sexual offences, stalking, intimate partner violence, homicide and other types of serious interpersonal violence. In this episode, Raj talks to us about multi-disciplinary approaches throughout his career, and it all started with Silence of the Lambs... Find out more about RMA Accredited Assessors: https://www.rma.scot/olr/risk-assessors/ Find out more about Dr Rajan Darjee: https://fbacs.com.au/our-team Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot

    1h 52m

  6. 04/08/2025

    Episode 5: The Future of Justice: Does Artificial Intelligence Have a Role?

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now - from Chat GPT to helping with complex medical diagnoses. But could it be used in crime prevention - for example, can AI really tell if someone is lying? In this episode the team discuss how AI is being used in the justice system today, and if there are areas it could be used in the future, or if our human bias might affect how it performs.   Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot

    58 min

  7. 04/01/2025

    Episode 4: Scotland's Unique Lifelong Sentence: The Order for Lifelong Restriction

    In this episode the team talk about the unique Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) in Scotland, and the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) in England and Wales. These are indeterminate sentences - they don't have a fixed release date. The OLR was introduced in Scotland in 2006 and can only be imposed by the high court.  With the OLR, it's possible that the index offence – the crime the individual has been convicted of – may not be a serious violent or sexual offence, but part of a pattern which demonstrates serious harm. The purpose of the sentence is to protect the public from the risk of serious harm. It is made up of a punishment part served in custody, and lifelong risk management. In this epsiode the team discuss the sentence, how it's managed in custody and community, and some of the recent Risk Management Authority research to better understand the experience of the OLR, to better support individuals' progression whilst maintaining public protection.    Find out more about the OLR: https://www.rma.scot/olr/about-the-olr/ Find our research: https://www.rma.scot/research/olr-2/ www.rma.scot

    1h 12m

  8. 03/25/2025

    Episode 3: Counter-Terrorism in Australia and Scotland with Debra Smith and Lise Waldek (Part 2)

    How do we get people to choose to desist from crime? To be ready to change? Can people be 'worn down with kindness'? In this episode, we continue talking to Dr Debra Smith from the AVERT Research Network and Lise Waldek from Macquarie University about their research based on unprecedented access to those who have participated in an Islamist terrorism rehabilitation program in Australia. The team discuss the ethical challenges, the idea of assessing the person in risk assessment, how we can become more resilient, and what might be the next steps for work in this area.  Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot  Find out more about AVERT Research Network: AVERT Research Network

    38 min

  9. 03/17/2025

    Episode 2: Counter-Terrorism in Australia and Scotland with Debra Smith and Lise Waldek (Part 1)

    In this episode we speak to two highly experienced experts, Dr Debra Smith from the AVERT Research Network and Lise Waldek from Macquarie University. We discuss their latest research which represents the most comprehensive analysis of any countering-violent extremism program in Australia and is based on unprecedented access to those who have participated inan Islamist terrorism rehabilitation program. The team also discuss similarities and differences in the UK and Australia's approach to counter-terrorism and counter-violent extremism, such as the growing awareness of far-right extremism and the increasing availability of content on the internet, and consider some of the challenges this presents. This is the first part of a two-part episode. Find out more about the work of the RMA: www.rma.scot

    1h 1m

  10. 03/11/2025

    Episode 1: Improving the Court Experience? Scotland's Specialist Offence Courts

    Can specialist offence courts help improve the experience of victims and witnesses in the Scottish justice system, and could this initiative encourage and empower more people to share their experiences? The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced in April 2023 and proposes that there should be a specialist sexual offences court in Scotland. In this episode, recorded in 2024, we discuss the potential impacts of this - how it would work where an individual has multiple convictions for different crimes, what are the aims of the specialist courts and what do we really mean by 'specialist'? We also consider how the court experience could be improved for those involved in the justice system, including trauma-informed approaches and practical steps.  Features Chartered Psychologists & Registered Forensic Psychologists Geoff Tordzro-Taylor (RMA Head of Development) and Debbie Campbell (Head of OLR) and our Development Lead, Forensic Psychologist in training, Rachel Webb. For more information on the work of the Risk Management Authority see: www.rma.scot Follow us on Bluesky: rmascotland.bluesky.social Follow us on X (Twitter): @RMAScotland Email: communications@rma.gov.scot  Futher Reading: Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/victims-witnesses-and-justice-reform-scotland-bill RMA Standards and Guidelines: https://www.rma.scot/standards-guidelines/

    35 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

A Wee Chat About Justice is a new podcast discussing themes in justice, forensic psychology and social work, brought to you by the Risk Management Authority. Each episode, we look at what's happening in justice in Scotland and across the world, look at new research and evidence of what works, and consider what changes we might like to see for the Scottish system. For more information on the work of the Risk Management Authority see: www.rma.scot Music 'Wings of Liberty' via Pixabay License

Information

  • Creator
    Risk Management Authority
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    A Wee Chat About Justice