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Scottish Sentencing Council Report: Judicial Perspectives on Community-Based Disposals

On 28/10/21 the Scottish Sentencing Council published a report entitled, 'Judicial Perspectives on Community-Based Disposals', drawing on research and engagement carried out with sentencers and others. One of its more significant findings was that “that one of the greatest challenges to judicial confidence in community-based disposals concerns limitations of resources to support their management and delivery”, rather than lack of awareness of available services and programmes.

Reconviction Statistics: 2019-19 Offender Cohort

On 04/10/21 the latest Reconviction Statistics for the 2018-19 offender cohort   were published. The figures showed that reconvictions had increased in the past year from 26.4% in 2017-18, to 28.3% in 2018-19, going against the general downwards trend over the past decade. The average number of reconvictions also increased over the same period from 0.47 to 0.50, an increase of 6%.

Recorded Crime in Scotland 2020-2021

On 28/09/21 the Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2020-2021 figures were published which included the following key points: between 2019-20 and 2020-21, crimes recorded by the police in    Scotland remained almost unchanged; non-sexual crimes of violence decreased by 4%; sexual crimes decreased by 2%; crimes of dishonesty decreased by 19; fire-raising, vandalism etc. decreased by 10%; and other crimes increased by 10%. Most of these crimes relate to drug possession, crimes against public justice or handling offensive weapons.

HMIPS Liaison Visit to HMP Greenock

On 29 July 2021, HMIPS published a report on its Liaison Visit to HMP Greenock. It made a number of criticisms, many of which were related to the ageing building and its leaking roof; lack of accessible cells; and progression, specifically lack of opportunities, backlog of paperwork and unsatisfactory slow processes.

HMIPS Liaison Visit to HMP Castle Huntly

On 27 July 2021, HMIPS published a report on its Liaison Visit to HMP Castle Huntly. Its criticisms focused on the need for substantial modernisation and improvement to the accommodation blocks and the need for more single cells. It also pushed for the reintroduction of communal dining.

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