Section one Context SPS also looked to purchase additional prison spaces in two private sector prisons.24 Other developments during the year included: SPS seeking to professionalise the role of the prison officer through the Prison Officer Professionalisation Programme (POPP), and the implementation by the end of the year of SPS's commitment to introduce smokefree prisons. The Scottish Government committed to extend the presumption against short sentences from three months or less to 12 months or less and announced £250 million for improvements to mental health services. The latter will include £35 million investment over five years to provide access to 800 additional mental health professionals in accident and emergency departments, GP practices, police custody suites and prisons. Scottish Parliament passed the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 which criminalises psychological domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. The Government created a National Performance Framework, launched in June 2018 with 11 national outcomes it is seeking to achieve to improve equality. Two outcomes are particularly important to justice: 'We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe', and 'We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination'. There were significant announcements in England and Wales which sought to address the challenges with the safety and infrastructure of prisons and to set out proposed strategies and investment. Alongside ongoing efforts to recruit additional prison staff, a £30 million package was announced in July 2018 to tackle acute maintenance needs, safety and security measures and the provision of securely monitored in-cell telephones.25 Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) also introduced a drugs taskforce and published a drugs strategy to address both supply and demand across the system. In August 2018, the Ten Prisons Project was launched with the aim of reducing violence in 10 prisons in England and Wales by focusing on reducing drug use, tackling violence, improving decency and building leadership capability. It was facilitated by £10 million additional funding.26 The Minister for Prisons and Probation pledged to resign should the project not have the desired impact within 12 months. The Secretary of State for Justice acknowledged the high rate of imprisonment in England and Wales and proposed that caution be exercised in continuing to increase sentences. He believed there was a very strong case for abolishing short prison sentences (with some exceptions) and making greater use of community orders, while making no commitment to legislate.27 The Government also continued with its preparation for constructing new prisons, 24 Later in 2019 this became a reality. See The Scotsman, September 2019, ‘Scottish Government forced to pay for extra private prison places as overcrowding soars’, https://www.scotsman.com/news/crime/scottish-government-forced-topay-for-extra-private-prison-places-as-overcrowding-soars-1-5012374 [accessed 04/12/19] 25 Justice Secretary launches fresh crackdown on crime in prison: David Gauke speech, July 2018, https://www.gov.uk/ government/speeches/justice-secretary-launches-fresh-crackdown-on-crime-in-prison-speech [accessed 04/12/19] 26 The 10 prisons are Hull, Humber, Leeds, Lindholme, Moorland, Wealstun, Nottingham, Ranby, Isis and Wormwood Scrubs. See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-announces-10-prisons-project-to-develop-new-model-of-excellence [accessed 05/12/19] 27 'Beyond prison, redefining punishment': David Gauke speech, February 2019, https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/ beyond-prison-redefining-punishment-david-gauke-speech [accessed 04/12/19] 19