Details of law to strengthen ‘community justice’ published

The Community Justice (Scotland) Bill establishes a new model for community justice which, the government said, puts local delivery, partnerships and collaboration at its heart.

The bill will:

Legal affairs secretary Paul Wheelhouse (pictured) said: “The Scottish government is committed to reducing re-offending and securing better outcomes for community justice services.

“Offending is a complex problem and there are well established links between persistent offending and poverty, homelessness, addiction and mental illness. Re-offending creates victims, damages communities and wastes potential.

“We want to work in partnership with organisations and communities to reduce re-offending and to deliver better outcomes for offenders and communities.

“We have engaged extensively with stakeholders in developing this model and share their view that community justice services should be person-centred and evidence based while making the best use of resources, all of which is reflected in today’s bill.”

Tom Halpin, chief executive of SACRO said: “Sacro supports the introduction of proposals contained in the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill. This provides a strong opportunity for Scotland’s community justice services to work collaboratively and deliver reduced re-offending and safer communities.

“Working through Community Planning Partnerships, where multi-agency working supports the delivery of joined up services with strong leadership and accountability, is key to transforming the lives of people who are motivated to desist from offending.

“The lived experience of people using Sacro’s services to successfully change their life tells us this bill is critical in building a socially just and inclusive society for all of Scotland’s communities.”