The Scottish government announced a greater emphasis on crime prevention as part of its new justice strategy in July.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson published the new priorities as he started the demolition of Scotland's only women's prison at Cornton Vale.

Two new community-based custody units for women will be located in Glasgow and either Fife or Dundee.

The new units will focus on recovery and keeping women closer to their families.

Read more here.

Mr Matheson says in the 2008 report of the Scottish Prisons Commission, Henry McLeish wrote that in order to better target imprisonment and to make it more effective, it should be reserved for "people whose offences are so serious that no other form of punishment will do, and for those who pose a threat of serious harm to the public"

Demolition work began in July at HMP Cornton Vale, Scotland's main female prison.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is developing plans for a smaller refurbished national prison for around 80 women at the site.

The SPS is also planning new community-based custody units.

It follows the decision in 2015 not to proceed with the planned construction of a large women's prison in Inverclyde.

Read more here.

The minister says: "in July, I witnessed the start of demolition work on Cornton Vale prison. The Scottish Prison Service have now commenced the planning and public consultation processes for the creation of its replacement.

"Although located on the existing site of Cornton Vale it will provide an entirely new approach for the custodial care of around 80 women."

Mr Matheson says: "For women who do not require the level of security, or intensive interventions provided by the national facility, we will provide community custody units."

"I can today inform Parliament that the SPS has acquired a site in Maryhill for the first unit in Glasgow and that the second will be in Dundee."

The Liberal Democrats have said they will back the Scottish government if it tries to end prison sentences of less than 12 months.

It comes after the country's chief inspector of prisons said it was clear shorter sentences do not cut crime.

Scottish courts have operated a presumption against prison sentences of three months or less since 2010.

The Scottish government has been consulting on whether to extend that to 12 months.

Read more here.

The minister says there has been little progress on penal reform.

He says since 1999 there has been nearly 30% increase in the number of people locked up on any given day.

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A think tank has called for a ban on prison sentences of six months or less in Scotland.

Reform Scotland said only an outright ban on short sentences could bring about change in the justice system.

The organisation said the move should extend to a year if automatic early release for short sentences remains in place.

The Scottish government said it believed that only the most serious offenders should be jailed.

It does not want the courts to jail anyone for three months or less.

• Read more here.
• Call to end 12-month prison sentences
• Consultation ends on sentencing plan
• Move to outlaw short jail sentences

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says: "in the Programme for Government published last week we pledged to extend the presumption against short sentences to 12 months.

"This announcement was welcomed by former Justice Secretaries across the political spectrum who recognise that the time has come to adopt a more progressive and transformative perspective.

"It is a commitment consistent with our drive to create a more progressive evidence-based justice system."

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson will shortly give a statement on community justice in Scotland.

Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani suspends parliament until 14:30.

We'll be back then.

Ms Watt says it is vital that the government continues to work with local areas to support people with sight loss.

The mental health minister says, by working with local areas, the government is delivering the See Hear priorities.

She says she would encourage Borders Talking Newspaper to get involved in delivering the See hear priorities if they are not already.

Ms Watt says the government wants to build on achievements and the work done by volunteers and the third sector is key to this.

The minister says the work of volunteers is to be congratulated.

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Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt gets underway but unfortunately her microphone is not working!

The minister begins again and welcomes all the volunteers to the gallery and welcomes Dalbeatie Primary School as well.

Ms Watt praises the valuable role volunteers play in Borders Talking Newspapers and joins all the previous speakers in praising the efforts of BTN founder Matilda Mitchel and also of Wendy Ross.

She points to the government strategy See Hear, external for meeting the needs of people with a sensory impairment.

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Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne welcomes The Broders Talking Newspaper and Dalbeattie Primary School to the gallery.

Ms Ballantyne says she does not know what it is like to be blind or visually impaired but she knows, from her years as a nurse, that it can make a person feel very isolated.

The Tory MSP says not being able to get the news of the day is part of that isolation and Borders Talking Newspaper helps to bring news to those who are feeling isolated.

"We cannot and must not underestimate funding for talking newspapers," she says.

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Labour MSP Colin Smyth wishes Border's Talking Newspaper a happy anniversary and welcomes the volunteers to the gallery.

He praises the "enormous contribution" Border's Talking Newspapers makes and the contribution of other talking newspapers.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame says she would like to declare an interest as she is not age proof.

Ms Grahame says Borders Talking Newspaper puts broadcasts on memory sticks..."whatever that is."

"It puts a stop to that feeling that you may be isolated."

She says many local newspapers are having a difficult time but they still matter and are still bought and read.

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Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton welcomes people from Borders Talking Newspaper to the gallery.

Ms Hamilton says "none of us are age proof" and eye-sight deteriorates therefore this may be "an invaluable service for us."

The Tory MSP says in 2012 the show broadcast its 1000th show.