Young offenders pilot rolled-out

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7348276.stm

Version 0 of 1.

An initiative to give young offenders a chance to mend their ways is to be extended to Glasgow and Tayside, after successful trials in five areas.

The "structured deferred sentence" approach is aimed at minor offenders with problems such as drug abuse.

Before offenders are sentenced they are given help from social work and other bodies to improve their behaviour.

When they are sentenced, three or six months later, the extent of their co-operation is taken into account.

The national roll-out of the scheme comes after successful trials at sheriff courts at Arbroath, Ayr, Forfar, Kilmarnock, and Inverness.

Research into how the scheme operated found that those involved in the justice system, and some offenders, believed it filled a gap in the options available to courts.

The SNP's desire to create a soft-touch Scotland knows no bounds Bill AitkenTory justice spokesman

In the Highlands and Angus, the scheme targeted women, young offenders and those with drug or drink problems - while those with mental health difficulties were also targeted in the Highlands.

The default rate, about a fifth of those taking part, was said to be lower than in community service or probation.

Announcing the extension, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "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."

'Rewarding alternative'

The minister added: "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.

"A crucial aspect of changing criminal behaviour is demonstrating that there is a more rewarding alternative to a life of crime."

He said short prison sentences often failed to deliver on that goal.

However, Conservative justice spokesman, Bill Aitken, said criminals should confront their offending behaviour inside prison.

"The SNP's desire to create a soft-touch Scotland knows no bounds," he said.

"Today they want to extend a scheme which allows criminals to breach the terms of being spared jail but not face any consequences for up to three or six months.

"The SNP is driven by a compulsion to empty our prisons regardless of the consequences."