Bail supervision rises 40 per cent

Humza Yousaf

Bail supervision can be imposed by a court where individuals are assessed as needing a level of supervision and support to meet their bail conditions, and can help minimise the numbers of individuals held on remand in custody pending trial or for reports after conviction.

A total of 470 such cases were commenced in 2019-20 – a 40 per cent increase on 2018-19 to the highest level in any of the last seven years.

Elsewhere, the figures show that there were 510 drug treatment and testing orders commenced in 2019-20, 15 per cent less than in 2018-19 and the second lowest level in the last seven years. The successful completion rate was 39 per cent in 2019-20, around the same level as the previous two years.

Mr Yousaf said: “Decisions on whether to remand in custody or grant bail to someone ahead of their trial or sentencing are clearly for the courts in every case. But we know remand can be as counterproductive as short prison sentences in terms of breaking parental or other family bonds and disrupting employment or housing access – all things which evidence shows are important in reducing the likelihood of offending.

“We have increased investment in robust bail options as well as community sentences such as CPOs that address the underlying causes of offending – to make credible alternatives to custody available to Scotland’s courts. That is why the increasing use of bail supervision is very welcome. At the same time, we will be making electronic monitoring for bail available to the courts in future.

“With a firm focus on prevention and effective community-based interventions, Scotland’s reconviction rate for offenders has fallen to its lowest level since comparable records began more than 20 years ago. I am grateful for the often unseen but critical role of social work teams, alongside others working in the wider justice system and third sector, in helping to prevent reoffending, which in turn contributes to less crime and fewer victims.”