Views sought on Borders community justice plan

The Scottish Borders Community Justice Board is looking for feedback on the community justice outcomes improvement plan that is being developed for the region.

The plan is required as part of the new Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 which will come into effect from April 2017. The existing community justice authorities will cease at this time to be replaced by joint working through local community planning partnerships.

A Community Justice Board has already been established in the Borders to coordinate and oversee the transition locally. Currently chaired by the chief social worker at Scottish Borders Council (SBC), the board has responsibility for developing plans and making the necessary changes in how services are designed, delivered and accessed.

Community justice aims to prevent and reduce reoffending by addressing the underlying causes of offending behaviour. In addition to sentencing by the courts, known factors that contribute to reducing reoffending rates and support reintegration include consistent access to services; suitable accommodation, health care, employment, education and/or training; and feeling connected to a community and positive social networks.

The plan will set out how the principles of community justice will be used to support a reduction in the number of people in the Scottish Borders reoffending following a previous conviction.

Elaine Torrance, chief social work officer and chair of the Community Justice Board said: “While crime rates in the Scottish Borders are generally low, we must do all we can to ensure that this remains the case. The board is committed to preventing offending and supporting a reduction in people reoffending within our communities and the plan will set out how we intend to do this.

“What we are keen to hear through this questionnaire is the views of local people about how they see community justice working in their local areas and what they feel could be done to support prevention or what barriers they think might exist to reducing offending.

“I would therefore encourage as many people as possible to think about this issue as it relates to their locality and take the time to complete the survey so that we have a comprehensive and thorough picture of public opinion that can help inform the draft plan.”

To have your say, visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/communityjustice where you can complete the online questionnaire. Paper copies are available from the Social Work Task Team on 01835 825080 or at: swtaskteam@scotborders.gov.uk.

The closing date for the survey is 11 September 2016.

All the responses will be considered by the Community Justice Board and incorporated into the draft plan. A formal consultation on the draft is planned for the end of the year.