The Scottish Government is committed to modernising the justice system to protect communities and make them as safe and as crime free as possible.
Prison will always be the right place for serious and dangerous offenders. But, we cannot keep locking up record numbers of prisoners while crime continues to fall.
Evidence shows that short sentences do not work. Instead we must tackle the persistent problem of offending and reoffending through speedy and tough community penalities that are rigorously enforced. We must ensure that offenders pay back the communities they harm.
A new anti-gang initiative, the first of its kind in the UK, is being run at Rothiemurcus Lodge, Aviemore, where groups of teenagers from the Central Belt are treated to a tough, week-long stint with the army.
The Community Initiative to Reduce Violence aims to help young people break away from gang life through Operation Youth Advantage which is designed to provide an insight into military life and give the chance to learn and develop in a safe environment.
Picture: Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander 51 (Scottish) Brigade chats to participants - returning from the forest and hills of the Cairngorms - at the Army's Rothiemurchus Lodge near Aviemore.
The young people are in 'hard to reach' social groups, are under-achievers both socially and educationally, and are at high risk of offending.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Operation Youth Advantage is the kind of initiative that can give youngsters on the cusp of getting involved in crime the opportunity to take part in more positive pursuits such as healthy outdoor activities.
"I am impressed by its success in turning young people away from offending and providing them with positive life choices."
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