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Offenders 'may get building work' Offenders 'may get building work'
(about 3 hours later)
Community-based sentences for low-level offenders in Scotland could be used to help address labour market shortages, according to the justice secretary.Community-based sentences for low-level offenders in Scotland could be used to help address labour market shortages, according to the justice secretary.
Kenny MacAskill said some offenders could become involved in major building projects, such as developments for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.Kenny MacAskill said some offenders could become involved in major building projects, such as developments for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
He said such measures could help reduce the prison population, which is at an all-time high.He said such measures could help reduce the prison population, which is at an all-time high.
But Labour said offenders should be "incarcerated and not given jobs".But Labour said offenders should be "incarcerated and not given jobs".
The Scottish Government is committed to reducing reoffending rates by using community sentences as an alternative to short jail terms.The Scottish Government is committed to reducing reoffending rates by using community sentences as an alternative to short jail terms.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr MacAskill said there could be other benefits to such a move.Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr MacAskill said there could be other benefits to such a move.
"We have a labour shortage and we also have major construction problems at a time when we have record numbers in our prisons," he said."We have a labour shortage and we also have major construction problems at a time when we have record numbers in our prisons," he said.
Victims of crime want offenders to serve their sentence - that means being in prison and not being rewarded with employment Paul MartinLabour's community safety spokesman "We, as a government, want to change the 'bed and board' culture that exists.Victims of crime want offenders to serve their sentence - that means being in prison and not being rewarded with employment Paul MartinLabour's community safety spokesman "We, as a government, want to change the 'bed and board' culture that exists.
"People who commit less serious offences compound the damage they've done to communities by having us, as taxpayers, provide them with three square meals and free bed and board."People who commit less serious offences compound the damage they've done to communities by having us, as taxpayers, provide them with three square meals and free bed and board.
"We want them to repay, through the sweat of their brow, for the damage they have done to our communities and hopefully, start contributing through their taxes rather than being a drain on ours.""We want them to repay, through the sweat of their brow, for the damage they have done to our communities and hopefully, start contributing through their taxes rather than being a drain on ours."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said punishments should also equip offenders to make a meaningful contribution to society when they had served their sentence.A spokesman for the Scottish Government said punishments should also equip offenders to make a meaningful contribution to society when they had served their sentence.
He said: "Whatever punishment is served, in community or in prison, at the end of it the offender should be better equipped to undertake gainful and appropriate employment and contribute to society rather than simply being allowed to fall into their old ways.He said: "Whatever punishment is served, in community or in prison, at the end of it the offender should be better equipped to undertake gainful and appropriate employment and contribute to society rather than simply being allowed to fall into their old ways.
"The Scottish Government's Skills Strategy, published last autumn, made specific reference to enabling offenders to acquire new skills for employment and work is ongoing to take this forward."The Scottish Government's Skills Strategy, published last autumn, made specific reference to enabling offenders to acquire new skills for employment and work is ongoing to take this forward.
'Headline stunt''Headline stunt'
"We are determined to ensure Scotland has a coherent penal policy that protects the public, tackles reoffending and so builds a safer Scotland."We are determined to ensure Scotland has a coherent penal policy that protects the public, tackles reoffending and so builds a safer Scotland.
"We will set out our detailed plans when we respond to the Prisons Commission report later this year.""We will set out our detailed plans when we respond to the Prisons Commission report later this year."
But Scottish Labour's community safety spokesman, Paul Martin, accused Mr MacAskill of a "headline grabbing stunt".But Scottish Labour's community safety spokesman, Paul Martin, accused Mr MacAskill of a "headline grabbing stunt".
"Victims of crime want offenders to serve their sentence - that means being in prison and not being rewarded with employment," he said."Victims of crime want offenders to serve their sentence - that means being in prison and not being rewarded with employment," he said.
"This idea insults the construction industry which should not be a dumping ground for people serving time."This idea insults the construction industry which should not be a dumping ground for people serving time.
"I also think offenders should not be given jobs over law-abiding members of the public."I also think offenders should not be given jobs over law-abiding members of the public.
"Community safety is of paramount concern and offenders should be incarcerated and not given jobs.""Community safety is of paramount concern and offenders should be incarcerated and not given jobs."