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CHAPTER 4: PERCEPTION OF SDS
General Perceptions
4.1 The majority of criminal justice professionals interviewed were positive about SDS, perceiving it as:
- Avoiding up-tariffing
- Filling a gap/complementing other services
- Addressing offenders' needs/reducing re-offending
- Providing individual support tailored to offenders' needs
- Providing an incentive/opportunity for offenders
4.2 In addition, almost all Sheriffs interviewed expressed confidence in SDS, because of:
- The ability of SDS to address offenders' needs and therefore potentially reduce re-offending; and,
- The fact that the short time periods involved (usually 3 months) gave Sheriffs a feeling of greater control due to more regular contact with offenders.
SDS vs. Alternatives
4.3 Views varied within and across pilot sites, regarding what low tariff SDS provided an alternative to:
- In Highland, SDS was mainly seen as an alternative to probation.
- In Angus, low tariff SDS was seen as an alternative to probation or fines.
- In Ayrshire some saw SDS as an alternative to probation/community service, but others saw SDS as an alternative to fines/a traditional deferred sentence.
4.4 High tariff SDS in Angus, was mainly perceived as an alternative to custody or probation.
Perceived Advantages Of SDS
4.5 Interviewees identified a number of advantages, that they felt SDS offered over alternatives.
4.6 In Angus, these included a perception that:
- Offenders saw SDS as there to meet needs rather than enforce
- Offenders were more open/honest on SDS, seeing social workers as there to support
- The shorter time period was more appropriate.
- Fines don't address root causes of offending.
4.7 In Highland, these included a perception that SDS:
- Allows targeting of resources at offenders who would be deprioritised on probation
- Allows Sheriffs to feel more in control, because of the shorter time period and continuing relationship between offender & sentencer.
- Is a more appropriate length for low-medium risk offenders than probation.
- Is more effective than probation for lower risk offenders
- Provides more opportunity for individual work than probation
4.8 In Ayrshire, these included a perception that:
- Offenders had previously been up-tariffed to probation for support.
- SDS was keeping some people out of higher disposals.
4.9 A number of interviewees across the pilot sites felt that without SDS, offenders might be up-tariffed to probation to provide support.
Conclusions
4.10 The majority of practitioners interviewed were positive about SDS. They felt that it filled a gap in the options available to the courts, by providing a means of addressing the needs of low tariff offenders. These needs would not be met by a financial penalty, and might be met less successfully met by probation, where they could expect to be de-prioritised in favour of more serious offenders.
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