Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2003 -04

Description	Statistics on the number and type of community orders and social enquiry reports
ISBN	0 7559 3899 2
Official Print Publication Date
Website Publication Date	January 25, 2005

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Statistical Bulletin CrJ/2005/01
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SOCIAL WORK STATISTICS , 2003-04

A Scottish Executive National Statistics Publication
Published January 2005

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1. Introduction
2. Key Points.
3. Social Enquiry Reports
4. Community Service Orders
5. Probation Orders
6. Supervised Attendance Orders
7. Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
8. Restriction of Liberty Orders
9. Throughcare
10. Home Circumstance Reports
11. Diversion from Prosecution
12. Bail Information
13. Reports/Orders by Ethnic Group
14. Appendix of Tables
15. Annex: Notes and Definitions
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE STATISTICAL SERVICES
Correspondence and enquiries

1. Introduction

1.1 This is the fifth in an annual series of statistical bulletins, presenting information on Social Enquiry Reports (SERs), Community Service Orders (CSOs), Probation Orders (POs) and Supervised Attendance Orders (SAOs) in Scotland. In addition, information on Throughcare (TC), Diversion from Prosecution (DP) and Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLOs) is provided. Data on Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) and Bail Information are included for the first time.

1.2 The results shown incorporate information from the aggregate statistical returns for 2003-04, provided to the Scottish Executive by local authorities and covering the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. Data on Restriction of Liberty Orders are provided by Reliance Monitoring Services Limited: contracted by the Scottish Executive to monitor compliance with restriction of liberty orders. Detailed notes on the statistics used in the bulletin and on the different types of Orders and Reports are given in the Annex.

Community Orders, percentage by type, 2003-04 Chart 1

pie chart

1. Including Probation Orders with a requirement of unpaid work.
2. Excluding Probation Orders with a requirement of unpaid work.

2. Key Points

Social Enquiry Reports

A total of 39,492 Social Enquiry Reports (including supplementary reports) were submitted by Local Authorities to the Courts in 2003-04, up 4 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 38,123. The total of 39,492 corresponds to 110.3 reports per 10,000 population.
A total of 35,624 Social Enquiry Reports (excluding supplementary reports) were submitted to the Courts in 2003-04, an increase of 3 per cent from 34,570 in 2002-03.

Community Service Orders

A total of 7,428 Community Service Orders (including 2,255 Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) were made in 2003-04, a one per cent increase over the previous year's total of 7,359. The total of 7,428 equates to 20.7 Orders per 10,000 population.
1,329 breach applications were made to the Courts in respect of Community Service Orders (excluding Probation Orders with Requirement of Unpaid Work) in 2003-04, an increase of 1 per cent from the previous year's total of 1,310.
4,261 Community Service Orders (excluding Probation Orders with Requirement of Unpaid Work) were terminated (including orders which were successfully completed) in 2003-04, an increase of 12 per cent from the previous year's total of 3,803.

Probation Orders

A total of 7,742 Probation Orders were made in 2003-04, representing a 4 per cent increase from 7,417 in 2002-03. The total of 7,742 corresponds to 21.6 Orders per 10,000 population.
2,665 breach applications were made to the Courts in respect of Probation Orders in 2003-04, a 7 per cent increase compared to the total of 2,491 in 2002-03.
A total of 4,889 Probation Orders were terminated in 2003-04, representing an increase of 4 per cent over the previous year's total of 4,687.

Supervised Attendance Orders

A total of 3,021 Supervised Attendance Orders were made in 2003-04, up 12 per cent from the total of 2,700 in 2002-03. This corresponds to 8.4 Orders per 10,000 population.
1,012 breach applications were made to the Courts in respect of Supervised Attendance Orders in 2003-04, an increase of 23 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 824.
A total of 2,259 Supervised Attendance Orders were terminated in 2003-04, an increase of 32 per cent from the previous year's total of 1,709.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

A total of 412 Drug Treatment and Testing Orders were made in 2003-04. Of these, 134 resulted in a breach application. A total of 205 orders were terminated in 2003-04.

Restriction of Liberty Orders

A total of 807 Restriction of Liberty Orders were made in 2003-04, an increase of 54 per cent from 524 in 2002-03. This corresponds to 2.3 Orders per 10,000 population.

Throughcare

Excluding voluntary assistance cases, the number of Throughcare cases increased by 68 per cent between 2002-03 and 2003-04, from 1,115 to 1,869.

Home Circumstances Reports

A total of 1,235 HCRs were reported in 2003-04.

Diversion from Prosecution

There were 1,340 Diversion from Prosecution cases in 2003-04, an increase of 32 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 1,015 cases.

Bail Information

During 2003-04, 5,121 requests were by Courts to local authorities for bail information. A total of 856 bail supervision cases commenced in the year, relating to 770 individuals.

3. Social Enquiry Reports (Charts 2-3 and Tables 3-11)

Social Enquiry Reports, including Supplementary Reports

3.1 A total of 39,492 SERs were submitted by Local Authorities to the Courts (excluding letters sent in lieu of reports), an increase of 4 per cent from the 38,123 submitted in the previous year. During the same period, a total of 45,274 SERs were requested by the Courts in 2003-04, an increase of one per cent from the 2002-03 total of 44,958.

3.2 The majority of SERs submitted to the Courts related to summary proceedings in Sheriff Courts (86 per cent).

3.3 The total of 39,492 SERs submitted in 2003-04 was equivalent to 110.3 SERs per 10,000 population in 2003-04. Rates varied considerably between Local Authorities, with Dundee City (265.1), Clackmannanshire (208.0) and Angus (176.8) having the highest numbers of reports per 10,000 population. Rates were lowest in East Dunbartonshire (44.6), East Renfrewshire (41.6) and Orkney Islands (41.8).

Number of Social Enquiry Reports ⁽¹⁾ 1999-00 to 2003-04 Chart 2

bar chart

1. Includes Supplementary Reports.

Social Enquiry Reports, excluding Supplementary Reports

3.4 A total of 35,624 SERs (excluding Supplementary Reports) were submitted to the Courts in 2003-04, an increase of 3 per cent on the 2002-03 total of 34,570. The majority (84 per cent) of these reports were made in respect of males.

3.5 Males who were the subject of SERs tended to be younger than females, with 29 per cent of reports for males and 20 per cent of those for females relating to under 21 year olds.

3.6 SERs were most common amongst young adults, accounting for 358.4 per 10,000 population of 18 to 20 year olds. The incidence of SERs was also relatively common amongst 16 to 17 year olds (232.6 per 10,000 population) and 21 to 25 year olds (276.7). It should be noted however, that one person can be the subject of several SERs within a year.

3.7 The majority of SERs related to the unemployed (52 per cent) with only 4 per cent of SERs being for people in full time education or on a government sponsored training scheme.

3.8 One of the main purposes of a SER is to offer information and advice which can help the court decide between the available sentencing options. The National Objectives and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System state that: "Whilst reports must not include a recommendation as such, report writers may indicate, on the basis of their review and assessment, which non-custodial option is in their opinion most likely to prevent or reduce future offending in the event of the court deciding it not necessary to impose a custodial sentence. … If the offender has been assessed as someone who could pose a risk of serious harm to others, the court will appreciate advice on the desirability of a Supervised Release Order or Extended Sentence in the event of custody."

3.9 Nearly 26 per cent of SERs in 2003-04 gave no preferred sentencing option. Probation was the preferred option in 20 per cent of SERs, generally with standard conditions. A further 11 per cent of reports gave Community Service as the preferred option, although this tended to be more common for males (12 per cent) than for females (7 per cent). Eight per cent of SERs suggested a Monetary Penalty. Custody was rarely suggested, featuring as the preferred option in just over 1 per cent of reports. Around 18 per cent of reports suggested some other form of preferred option.

3.10 The main outcome in nearly 15 per cent of SERs was Probation. The other main outcomes were Custody (13 percent), Community Service (10 per cent) and Deferred Sentence (9 per cent).

3.11 Males were more likely to receive Custody (14 per cent) or Community Service (11 per cent) than females (7 per cent for each). Correspondingly, Probation with Standard Conditions was relatively more common amongst female offenders, accounting for 10 per cent of SERs for females and 5 per cent of those for males.

3.12 The outcomes and preferred options can be grouped into 4 broad categories: Custodial Sentence, Community Sentence (Probation and Community Service), Monetary Penalty and Other/not known (covering all other preferred options and outcomes). Using this grouping, the main outcome corresponded to the preferred option in over one half of all SERs. For SERs where the preferred option was a Custodial Sentence, the main outcome was a Custodial Sentence in 57 per cent of cases for males and 55 per cent for females. Community Sentences were the main outcome in 43 per cent of SERs for males and 48 per cent of reports for females where a Community Sentence was the preferred option.

Social Enquiry Reports⁽¹⁾by Age and Gender of Client, 2003-04
Reports per 10,000 population Chart 3

bar chart

1. Reports submitted to the Courts, excluding Supplementary Reports (see Annex, paragraph 15.4).
2. Includes a small number of Reports relating to clients aged under 16 years.

4. Community Service Orders (Charts 4-5 and Tables 12-19)

4.1 A total of 7,428 CSOs (including 2,255 Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) were made in 2003-04. This represents an increase of one per cent from the 2002-03 total of 7,359.

4.2 The incidence of CSOs (including Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) was 20.7 per 10,000 population in 2003-04. This rate was highest in Dundee City (41.2), East Ayrshire (31.7) and Angus (28.0), and lowest in East Dunbartonshire (8.3), Moray (8.5) and Aberdeenshire (9.0).

4.3 Male offenders accounted for 90 per cent of CSOs and Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work. Females receiving CSOs (excluding Probation with Unpaid Work) tended to be older, with 64 per cent of such orders relating to over 25 year olds. The corresponding proportion for males was 47 per cent.

4.4 CSOs (including Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) were relatively more common amongst young offenders, with 77.8 orders per 10,000 population for 18-20 year olds and 59.9 orders per 10,000 population for 21-25 year olds.

4.5 The average length of a CSO (including Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) in 2003-04 was 147 hours, a decrease of 5 per cent from the 2002-03 average of 155 hours. On average, males (150 hours) received slightly longer orders than females (144 hours). The average length of a Requirement of Unpaid Work imposed as a condition of a Probation Order tended to be slightly shorter than for Community Service Orders (141 hours compared with 147 hours).

4.6 The employment status of offenders provides an indication of whether the offender is likely to be available for work during normal working hours (i.e. weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm). Nearly 60 per cent of CSOs were given to offenders who were either unemployed or not seeking employment.

4.7 Males receiving CSOs were relatively more likely to be employed (30 per cent) than females (20 per cent), while females were more likely to be not seeking employment (15 per cent as opposed to 6 per cent of males).

Number of Community Service Orders ⁽¹⁾ 1999-00 to 2003-04 Chart 4

bar chart

1. Includes Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work.

Breach Applications of Community Service Orders

4.8 There were 1,329 breach applications made to the Courts in 2003-04 in respect of CSOs (excluding Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work). This represented an increase of one per cent compared with the 1,310 breach applications in 2002-03. Breach Applications of Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work are included in section 5.

4.9 The number of breach applications is not directly comparable with the number of orders provided previously (which covers new orders only) as some of the breach applications may relate to orders started in the previous year. However, as CSOs must be completed within a 12 month period, the number of orders started in 2003-04 (5,187 excluding Probation with Unpaid Work) can be taken as a proxy measure for the number of orders active during the year. This suggests that around one in five orders resulted in a breach application.

4.10 Sixteen per cent of breach applications resulted in the original order being revoked and a custodial sentence imposed. A further 28 per cent of breaches resulted in the original order being revoked and some other action taken. In 9 per cent of applications, the original order was continued and no further action taken by the court and in 4 per cent of applications, a warrant for apprehension/recall was made. The outcome was not yet known for 25 per cent of breach applications made in 2003-04.

4.11 Males accounted for 90 per cent of breach applications. As males also accounted for a similar proportion of all new orders (see paragraph 4.3), this suggests that breach applications are as likely to occur for males as for females.

4.12 An outcome of revoked and custody was more common amongst males (17 per cent) than females (7 per cent). Order continued and no further action was a more likely outcome for females (14 per cent) than for males (9 per cent).

Terminations of Community Service Orders

4.13 A total of 4,261 CSOs (excluding Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) were terminated in 2003-04, an increase of 12 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 3,803. Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of these orders were successfully completed and a further 5 per cent resulted in early discharge following a review. Twenty per cent of orders were revoked following a breach application to the court and the remaining 10 per cent were terminated for other reasons (including transfer to another area and death of the offender). Terminations of Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work are included in section 5.

4.14 Males and females were equally likely to complete their orders successfully (65 per cent), but males were slightly more likely to have their orders revoked following a breach (20 per cent) than females (18 per cent). Revocation following a review was a little more common amongst females (7 per cent) than males (5 per cent).

Community Service Orders ⁽¹⁾ by Age and Gender of Offender, 2003-04
Orders per 10,000 population Chart 5

bar chart

1. Includes Probation Orders with a Requirement of Unpaid Work.

5. Probation Orders (Chart 6-7 and Tables 20-31)

5.1 A total of 7,742 POs (including POs with a Requirement of Unpaid Work) were made in 2003-04. This represents an increase of 4 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 7,417 Orders.

5.2 The incidence of POs was 21.6 per 10,000 population in 2003-04. This rate was highest in Dundee City (36.4), Aberdeen (31.5) and Glasgow and Clackmannanshire (31.0), and lowest in Moray (7.0), East Renfrewshire (7.5) and Eilean Siar (9.0).

5.3 Male offenders accounted for 81 per cent of POs. Males receiving Probation tended to be younger than females, with 29 per cent of POs for males and 19 per cent of those for females being given to offenders aged under 21 years.

5.4 The incidence of POs was highest amongst 18 to 20 year olds (73.6 per 10,000 population) and was also relatively common amongst 21 to 25 year olds (56.4) and 16 to 17 year olds (49.8).

5.5 Half of all POs were for 12 to 17 months in length. A further 20 per cent were for 18 to 23 months and 22 per cent for 2 years or more. Only 8 per cent of orders were for lengths of less than one year.

5.6 As with Community Service, the employment status of offenders provides an indication of the availability of offenders (see paragraph 4.6). Over 55 per cent of POs were for offenders who were unemployed or not seeking employment. The proportion of POs for offenders who were unemployed or not seeking work was higher for females (63 per cent) than for males (54 per cent).

5.7 Thirty nine per cent of all POs had standard conditions only. A Requirement of Unpaid Work was made in 27 per cent of Orders, while 15 per cent included conditions of Alcohol and/or Drug Treatment/ Education.

5.8 Probation Orders with standard conditions only were more likely to be imposed on females (53 per cent) than males (36 per cent). A Requirement of Unpaid Work was more common amongst males (29 per cent) than females (16 per cent).

Number of Probation Orders, 1999-00 to 2003-04 Chart 6

bar chart

Breach Applications of Probation Orders

5.9 There were 2,665 breach applications made to the Courts in 2003-04 in respect of POs, an increase of 7 per cent compared to the 2002-03 total of 2,491 applications.

5.10 The number of breach applications is not directly comparable with the number of orders provided previously (which covers new orders only) as some of the breach applications may relate to orders started in previous years. However, a rough estimate of the number of orders running during the year can be made using information on the length of orders started in 2003-04. This gives an estimated total of around 10,500 POs running in 2003-04, which suggests that approximately one in four orders result in a breach application.

5.11 Almost 15 per cent of breach applications resulted in the original order being revoked and a custodial sentence imposed. A further 18 per cent resulted in the original order being revoked and some other action taken. In 13 per cent of applications, the original order was continued and no further action taken by the court. The outcome was not yet known in 24 per cent of applications.

5.12 Males accounted for 83 per cent of breach applications. The majority of breaches (61 per cent) were caused by non compliance, 37 per cent by a further offence (committed during the period of the PO) while the remainder resulted from both non compliance and a further offence.

5.13 There were 803 breach applications relating to POs with a Requirement of Unpaid Work. The condition of Unpaid Work was breached in 61 per cent of these cases.

Terminations of Probation Orders

5.14 A total of 4,889 POs were terminated in 2003-04, an increase of 4 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 4,687. Over half of these orders were successfully completed and a further 7 per cent were given early discharge following a review. Twenty six per cent were terminated following a breach application. The remaining 15 per cent of orders were terminated for other reasons (including transfer to another area and death of the offender).

5.15 Females were slightly more likely to complete orders successfully (57 per cent) than males (51 per cent). Correspondingly, orders were more likely to be terminated following a breach for males (27 per cent) than for females (21 per cent).

Probation Orders by Age and Gender of Offender, 2003-04
Orders per 10,000 population Chart 7

bar chart

1. Includes a small number of Orders relating to offenders aged under 16 years.

6. Supervised Attendance Orders (Charts 8-9 and Tables 32-39)

6.1 A total of 3,021 SAOs were imposed on 2,700 individual offenders in 2003-04, an increase of 12 per cent in orders and 16 per cent in individuals compared to 2002-03. Eighty three per cent of SAOs were made in respect of males.

6.2 The incidence of SAOs was 8.4 per 10,000 population in 2003-04. This rate was highest in Angus (34.2), West Dunbartonshire (32.1) and Perth & Kinross (21.0). No SAOs were recorded in Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

6.3 Females receiving SAOs tended to be older than males, with 62 per cent of orders for females and 51 per cent for males being given to offenders aged over 25 years. Correspondingly, 24 per cent of orders for males and 11 per cent for females were made to offenders aged under 21 years.

6.4 The incidence of SAOs was highest amongst 16 to 17 year olds (42.3 per 10,000 population) and was nearly as common for 18 to 20 year olds (39.9).

6.5 The majority of SAOs were given by Sheriff Courts (74 per cent). Females were slightly more likely to receive SAOs from District Courts (29 per cent) than males (25 per cent).

6.6 The majority (66 per cent) of SAOs were made to offenders who were unemployed or not seeking employment.

6.7 Just over 45 per cent of SAOs were for 30 hours or less. Only 15 per cent of Orders were for more than 60 hours.

Number of Supervised Attendance Orders, 2000-01 to 2003-04 Chart 8

bar chart

Breach Applications of Supervised Attendance Orders

6.8 There were 1,012 breach applications in respect of SAOs made to the Courts in 2003-04, 23 per cent more than in 2002-03. The number of individuals with breach applications was 878, an increase of 28 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 686.

6.9 The number of breach applications is not directly comparable with the number of orders provided previously (which covers new orders only) as some of the breach applications may relate to orders started in the previous year. However, as SAOs are expected to be completed within a 12 month period (and usually within 6 months), the number of orders started in 2003-04 (3,021) can be taken as a proxy measure for the number of orders active during the year. This suggests that roughly one in three orders result in a breach application.

6.10 Seventy seven per cent of breach applications were made to Sheriff Courts with the other 23 per cent made to District Courts. The majority of breach applications (84 per cent) were made in respect of males.

6.11 In 2003-04, 7 per cent of breach applications resulted in the original order being revoked and a custodial sentence being imposed, compared to 11 per cent in 2002-03. A further 15 per cent were continued without further action and 11 per cent were continued with hours varied. The outcome was not yet known for 38 per cent of breach applications.

Terminations of Supervised Attendance Orders

6.12 A total of 2,259 SAOs were terminated in 2003-04, an increase of 32 per cent from the previous year's total of 1,709. The majority (71 per cent) were successfully completed and a further 5 per cent were given early discharge following a review. Eighteen per cent of orders were revoked following a breach application to the court and the remainder were terminated for other reasons (including transfer to another area and death of the offender).

Supervised Attendance Orders by Age and Gender of Offender, 2003-04
Orders per 10,000 population Chart 9

bar chart

7. Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (Chart 10 and Tables 40-46)

7.1 Information on DTTOs and DTTO Assessments for 2003-04 is provided for the first time. A total of 412 DTTOs and 1,013 DTTO Assessments were made in 2003-04.

7.2 The incidence of DTTOs was 1.2 per 10,000 population in 2003-04. Of the participating local authority areas, this rate was highest in Inverclyde (4.6), Renfrewshire (3.0), Dundee City (2.9) and Fife (2.9); and lowest in East Ayrshire (0.7), East Renfrewshire (0.7) and North Ayrshire (0.8).

7.3 Male offenders accounted for 80 per cent of DTTOs. Over half (56 per cent) of all females and 40 per cent of males receiving DTTOs were aged under 25. Twenty eight per cent of males and 17 per cent of females receiving DTTOs were aged over 30 years. The incidence of DTTOs was highest amongst 21 to 25 and 26 to 30 year olds (0.4 per 10,000 population).

7.4 DTTOs were most likely to be 18 months in length (60 per cent) or 24 months (19 per cent). Males were slightly more likely to receive a DTTO of less than 18 months (16 per cent) than females (13 per cent). Only 5 per cent of DTTOs were for lengths of greater than 24 months.

7.5 Thirty six per cent of DTTOs were imposed on offenders who were unemployed or not seeking employment. Females receiving DTTOs were more than twice as likely to be employed (39 per cent) compared with males (18 per cent).

Breach Applications of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

7.6 There were 134 breach applications made to the Courts in 2003-04 in respect of DTTOs. This corresponds to around one in three DTTOs resulting in a breach application.

7.7 Twenty five per cent of breach applications resulted in the original order being revoked and a custodial sentence imposed. A further 30 per cent resulted in the original order being revoked and some other action taken. In 8 per cent of applications, the original order was continued and no further action taken by the court. The outcome was not yet known in 14 per cent of applications.

7.7 Males accounted for 86 per cent of breach applications. The majority (86 per cent) of breaches were caused by non compliance, 7 per cent by a further offence (committed during the period of the DTTO) and the remainder resulted from both non compliance and a further offence.

Terminations of DTTOs

7.9 A total of 205 DTTOs were terminated in 2003-04. Thirty six per cent were successfully completed and a further 10 per cent were given early discharge following a review. Forty one per cent of orders were terminated following a breach application. The remaining were terminated due to transfer of the offender to another area.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders by Age and Gender of Offender, 2003-04
Orders per 10,000 population Chart 10

bar chart

8. Restriction of Liberty Orders (Chart 11 and Tables 47-49)

8.1 Information on RLOs (provided by Reliance) was obtained for the first time in 2002-03. RLOs became available as a disposal to all of Scotland's High, Sheriff and Stipendiary courts from May 2002.

8.2 A total of 807 RLOs were made in 2003-04, an increase of 54 per cent from the total of 524 in 2002-03.

8.3 The incidence of RLOs was 2.3 per 10,000 population in 2003-04.

8.4 Male offenders accounted for 90 per cent of RLOs. Over two-thirds of all males (69 per cent) and females (68 per cent) receiving RLOs were aged 25 years and under. Only 5 per cent of offenders were aged over 40 years. The incidence of RLOs was highest amongst 18 to 20 year olds (12.1 per 10,000 population).

8.5 RLOs were most likely to be of 3-6 months in length (56 per cent), or up to 3 months in length (21 per cent). Almost 10 per cent of offenders received the maximum length of 12 months.

Restriction of Liberty Orders by Age and Gender of Offender, 2003-04
Orders per 10,000 population Chart 11

bar chart

9. Throughcare (Tables 50-52)

9.1 There was a total of 2,348 Throughcare (TC) cases in 2003-04, equivalent to 6.6 cases per 10,000 population. Almost all cases were for males (98 per cent). A total of 527 Parole licences, 279 Non Parole licences, 111 Extended Sentences, 178 Supervised Release Orders, 137 Life licences and 1,116 other forms of supervision were reported in 2003-04. Excluding voluntary assistance cases (where these were separately identified in the data submitted), the number of Throughcare cases increased by 68 per cent between 2002-03 and 2003-04, from 1,115 to 1,869.

10. Home Circumstance Reports (Table 53)

10.1 A total of 1,235 HCRs were reported in 2003-04, virtually identical to the 2002-03 total of 1,237. This represents 3.4 HCRs per 10,000 population. The great majority (97 per cent) of HCRs were for males.

11. Diversion from Prosecution (Chart 12 and Tables 54-58)

11.1 A total of 1,340 DP cases commenced in 2003-04, an increase of 32 per cent from the 2002-03 total of 1,015. Other DP totals for 2003-04 included 2,154 referrals, 1,899 assessments, 1,032 cases completed and 211 cases referred to drug treatment/education.

11.2 Fifty-two per cent of DP cases commenced in 2003-04 involved males. Females receiving Diversion from Prosecution tended to be older than males, with 54 per cent of being aged over
30 compared with 37 per cent for males. Conversely, 45 per cent of cases for males and 19 per cent for females involved persons aged under 21 years.

11.3 Fifty-six per cent of DP cases commenced in 2003-04 related to offenders who were unemployed or not seeking employment. Males were more likely to be employed than females,
24 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

Diversion from Prosecution by Age and Gender of Offender, 2003-04
Cases per 10,000 population Chart 12

bar chart

1. Includes a small number of Orders relating to offenders aged under 16 years.

12. Bail Information (Table 59)

12.1 Bail information was collected for the first time in 2003-04. During the year, the Courts made 5,121 requests for bail information to local authorities. A total of 856 bail supervision cases commenced in 2003-04, relating to a total of 770 individuals.

13. Reports/Orders by Ethnic Groups (Table 60)

13.2 Table 60 shows the distribution of SERs, CSOs, POs, SAOs and DTTOs between ethnic groups. The majority of reports and orders relate to white persons, though it should be noted that information on ethnicity was recorded as not known for a significant proportion of cases.

14. Appendix of Tables

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