This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Prison population at record level
11/09/2003
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson today called on all
those working to rehabilitate offenders to come together in
a renewed drive to break the back ofScotland's reoffending problem
Speaking as new figures out today show Scotland's
prison population rising to record levels, Ms Jamieson
said large numbers of serial offenders serving short
sentences were 'an alarm call' that the present system
is not working effectively and needs reform.
The Executive plans to consult before the end of
the year on a new single agency to deliver both
custodial and non-custodial sentences. Ms Jamieson
said:
"Delivering a safer, strongerScotlandmeans taking action to reduce crime and the impact of
crime on ordinary, hard-working people and their property.
Reducing crime by allowing fewer criminals to prey on our
communities. That means taking action to tackle
reoffending.
"Too much ofScotland's crime problem stems from failing to break the
cycle of reoffending. Seven out of 10 of those convicted of
crimes have a previous conviction. Serial criminals who are
processed rather than rehabilitated and who return time and
time again to a life of crime.
"Neither prison nor community sentences are
working as effectively as they could.
"Seven out of 10 prisoners discharged from Scottish
prisons will be re-convicted within 4 years. That's twice
the level of the best - for example a country likeGermany.
"There are 35 per cent more offenders on
community sentences now than 10 years ago, yet as
today's figures show, the prison population has
continued to grow to record levels. Reducing those high
numbers of prisoners will require action both inside
and outside the walls of prisons themselves.
"Investment in the Scottish Prison Service and
local authority criminal justice social work services
has risen by 45 per cent over the past decade
- yet there has been almost no change in the
numbers reoffending after serving both custodial and
non-custodial sentences.
"We need to find out what is not working - and
fix it.
"It's time for a fresh look - both at home and from
experiences abroad. That's why we are committed to looking
at bringing together all those working to rehabilitate
offenders in a renewed drive to break the back ofScotland's reoffending problem.
"But this is very difficult to achieve when most
offenders spend short times in prison, and the rest of
the time either under no supervision at all or in the
care of a totally different organisation, accountable
to different people and with a different
culture.
"That is why in the Partnership Agreement we
committed to consult on a single agency that would
bring together the Scottish Prison Service and the
criminal justice social work service in a brand new
organisation. Alongside our policies to tackle the
roots of crime like poverty, educational
under-achievement, poor housing, and drug addiction, a
single agency could help to refocus action to reduce
reoffending, and make a positive impact on prison
populations."
The Executive plans to consult on a single agency
to strengthen the delivery of custodial and
non-custodial sentences currently delivered through the
Scottish Prison Service and the 32 local authority
Criminal Justice Social Work services. A consultation
document will issue before Christmas.
Figures released by the Scottish Prison Service
today show that the average daily population in
Scottish prisons rose by 4 per cent between 2001 and
2002, from 6,137 to 6,404, the highest annual level
ever recorded.