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Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell again reiterates condolences to the family and friends of Craig McClelland.

Ms Mitchell explains the committee suspended its scrutiny awaiting the review group's findings following his death.

The committee's stage one report includes reaction to these recommendations and Ms Mitchell stresses that it will press for swift implementation of all of them.

She highlights that the committee backs the general principles of the bill with the following qualifiers:

• electronic monitoring should only be used after a comprehensive risk assessment
• calls for Scottish government to ensure Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service provide information for risk assessments
• there must be careful risk assessment practice including home visits
• weight to risk to public protection should be given greater providence

Regarding the committee's views about having a psychiatrist member on the parole board, Mr Yousaf suggests it already has the expertise required.

However, he confirms he will seek further views from the parole board on this matter.

On calls for a statutory test for release, the justice secretary says setting this out in primary legislation is not the best way to forward as the parole board can already consider any factor it thinks relevant.

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Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks should cutting of a tag be an offence, as Scottish Women's Aid have said.

Mr Yousaf says he will consider Scottish Women's Aid's perspective and the government is looking at being unlawfully at large as being an offence.

The minister points out there is a nuance there but reiterates his intention to bring forward an amendment to make being unlawfully at large an offence.

Green MSP John Finnie asks for the cabinet secretary to acknowledge there is a role for victims already in parole.

Mr Yousaf agrees and points out there is an opportunity for victims to make representations to the Parole Board.

The number of prisoners let out of Scottish jails on a home release tag has fallen by 75% after a man committed a "brutal" murder while on the run.

New rules on home detention curfews were set out in October following the murder of Paisley man Craig McClelland.

Prisons chief Colin McConnell told MSPs that new restrictions had seen the number of prisoners given home release falling from up to 30 a week to seven.

This comes after ministers accepted calls for reforms to the curfew system.

Read more here.

Lessons from other areas of the system, such as home detention curfews (HDC), will be applied as the electronic monitoring service develops, the justice secretary tells the chamber.

Mr Yousaf says there is an "existing legal requirement that a risk assessment must always be done prior to the grant of HDC and the electronic monitoring of an individual under an HDC licence."

Revised guidance for Criminal Justice Social Work is highlighted and the minister also confirms the justice committee will be provided with further information during stage 2 on plans to create a new offence around unlawfully at large.

A future Disclosure Bill will consider the high level disclosure system and ensure there are no unintended consequences of basic disclosure in this bill, he adds.

Mr Yousaf says he Parole Board reforms deliver on the Scottish government’s commitment to improve the effective rehabilitation and reintegration of people who have committed offences.

It will also complete the implementation of the parole board reform project to modernise and improve support for the vital work of the Parole Board.

The justice secretary says following the tragic murder of Craig McClelland, the Police and Prisons inspectorates made 37 recommendations in relation to Home Detention in October 2018, all of which have been accepted.

Image source, FACEBOOK/POLICE SCOTLANd

The family of a Paisley father-of-three are calling for an inquiry into the circumstances that led to his murder.

James Wright stabbed Craig McClelland to death five months after removing his tag and breaching a home curfew.

Wright was jailed for life in June for killing the 31-year-old.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf explains the aim of the bill is to reduce reoffending, and keep a focus on prevention and rehabilitation.

The bill offers clarity on the use of electronic monitoring, including when and how it can be imposed, he says.

The justice secretary says the second part of the bill aims to improve the life of offenders by reducing the length of time a person has to disclose their conviction.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson suggests a broader suite of assistance must be provided to people leaving prisons.

Mr Yousaf agrees, adding that this bill should not be seen in isolation.

A group of MSPs have backed Scottish government plans to increase to use of electronic tags on offenders.

But it also called for a robust risk assessment and pro-active monitoring process to ensure breaches are properly dealt with.

Holyrood's Justice Committee has been considering the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Bill.

While describing the legislation as an "important step towards helping people with convictions" reintegrate, committee convener Margaret Mitchell said: "The various measures in the Bill must be properly resourced, including monitoring and enforcement provisions."

Read the committee's report here. , external

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MSPs will now participate in the stage 1 debate on the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Bill, external.

It aims to increase the use of electronic monitoring, as well as alter processes regarding disclosure of convictions.

SPICe has published a briefing on the bill., external

MSPs will vote on the general principles of the bill at 5pm.

Apologies for the lack of video coverage of this statement.

Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Dey says football is in Scotland's DNA and the fortune of our clubs can have an impact on our weekends.

While our men's national team may not be as successful as it was, Mr Dey highlights the Scotland's women's team is doing well.

The more fans are involved in the running of football clubs, the better, the minister states.

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Green MSP John Finnie tells the chamber he's a Hearts fan.

Mr Finnie goes on to say Kilmarnock have been a breath of fresh air, despite past history!

Kilmarnock supporters are "allowed to dream" after their side rose to the top of the Scottish Premiership in December, said manager Steve Clarke.

Two Greg Stewart goals earned a victory over Livingston which, coupled with Rangers and Celtic dropping points, meant they moved to the summit.

However, manager Clarke said he was not getting carried before the trip to face champions Celtic - which the team lost 5-1.

"It doesn't mean anything does it, it's only December," he told BBC Scotland.

Indeed, Kilmarnock is currently fourth in the table, behind Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen.

Read more about Kilmarnock FC here.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says Kilmarnock FC is Scotland's oldest club.

Listing some of the team's cup successes, he also highlights it has won the Ayrshire Cup 42 times.

Mr Smyth praises football fans and welcomes efforts made by Kilmarnock FC to ensure profits benefit the fans.

Four year old Harry Wallace knows the names of every Kilmarnock FC player.

Little Harry was visiting the team with his nursery New Cumnock Early Childhood Centre.

Everyone at Rugby Park was impressed by his memory skills.

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Tory MSP Brian Whittle tells the chamber was a coach at Kilmarnock FC in the mid 90s.

Mr Whittle welcomes Kilmarnock FC doing "fantastically well", but also arch rivals Ayr United doing well in the league below offering the prospect of renewed rivalry.