Pilot Scheme Targets Scottish Offenders

Plans to extend a pilot scheme aimed at offenders with underlying problems such as drug or alcohol dependency, mental health or learning difficulties which helps tackle the underlying causes of offending were announced today in Scotland.

As well as providing continued funding for the existing Structured Deferred Sentence pilot areas, this approach is to be extended to cover courts across two Community Justice Authority's areas - Glasgow and Tayside. The total funding amounts to £667,000 per year.

The SDS is a low-tariff intervention providing structured social work intervention for offenders post-conviction, but prior to final sentencing.

It is primarily aimed at offenders with underlying problems such as drug or alcohol dependency, mental health or learning difficulties or unemployment. It is not used for violent, serious or sex offenders.

An evaluation of the SDS pilots in five sheriff courts (Arbroath, Forfar, Inverness, Ayr and Kilmarnock) shows that the schemes operated well, with good relationships with other agencies and enthusiastic SDS workers.

In general, practitioners were satisfied with the referral process, services available to offenders, and the ability to extend orders if required.

Almost all of the 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 they had contact with offenders after three months, giving them a feeling of greater control.

The majority of practitioners interviewed were positive about SDS, believing it filled a gap in existing court options and benefited offenders through receiving support, changing behaviour, and receiving a lesser sentence.

Around a fifth of orders in Highland and Angus were not completed. This is lower than for community service or probation during a similar period

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Structured Deferred Sentences offer the courts a highly credible option for providing formal interventions with low level offenders.

"The schemes are now running well and are having positive effects on the root causes of offending behaviour. It is also encouraging that sheriffs have expressed confidence in them.

"These sentences target people who would benefit from social-work led supervision that targets the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. We are not talking about violent, serious and dangerous offenders."

(BMcC)