Keith Brown

The funding, which will go to all local authorities, aims to enhance bail assessment and supervision.

It will also support the introduction of electronic monitoring of bail – providing a new capability for monitoring bail curfew.

The move supports the Scottish government’s drive to shift the use of custody, especially short term imprisonment, to greater use of community justice interventions.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “We are transforming the way we view and deliver justice and increasing the availability of alternatives to remand across all parts of Scotland is a key part of that.

“This funding is intended to help ensure that bail supervision is available in all parts of Scotland and that bail assessments, for bail supervision and electronically monitored bail, are being consistently undertaken at increased levels in every court.

“This is smart, compassionate justice that recognises the effectiveness of community justice interventions in protecting people affected by crime and supporting the administration of justice.

“I am committed to delivering improvements which will keep our communities safer, further reduce the number of victims of crime and lead to better outcomes for everyone.”