Scottish Justice Matters is a publication of the Scottish Consortium of Crime and Criminal Justice (SCCCJ). The Consortium is an alliance of organisations and individuals committed to better criminal justice policies. It works to stimulate well informed debate and to promote discussion and analysis of new ideas. It seeks a rational, humane, constructive and rights-based approach to questions of justice and crime in Scotland.

This issue focuses on the complex connections between poverty and crime, looking at victimisation as well as offending. This “Poverty, Inequality and Justice” issue is guest edited by Professors Lesley McAra and Susan McVie from Edinburgh University and Maggie Mellon, a policy activist and former social worker, who draw from their latest research, and practice experience to bring us new and urgent insights on this topic.