This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6557971.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Call for sentencing policy review Call for sentencing policy review
(1 day later)
A record number of people now behind bars in Scotland has led to a call for a rethink on sentencing policy.A record number of people now behind bars in Scotland has led to a call for a rethink on sentencing policy.
Last month there were 7,378 people in jail - a new high despite 15 years of falling crime rates.Last month there were 7,378 people in jail - a new high despite 15 years of falling crime rates.
Tony Cameron, who has retired as the Scottish Prison Service's chief executive, said prison overcrowding gets in the way of rehabilitation work.Tony Cameron, who has retired as the Scottish Prison Service's chief executive, said prison overcrowding gets in the way of rehabilitation work.
Mr Cameron, who joined the service in 1999, believes more sentences should be carried out in the community.Mr Cameron, who joined the service in 1999, believes more sentences should be carried out in the community.
He is particularly concerned about the number of prisoners serving short sentences with 83% in prison serving sentences of six months or less. He is particularly concerned about the number of prisoners serving short sentences, with 83% in prison serving sentences of six months or less.
Mr Cameron said the turnover of prisoners meant little rehabilitation work could be carried out.Mr Cameron said the turnover of prisoners meant little rehabilitation work could be carried out.
Staff are tied up managing the churn of population through the prisons Tony CameronRetired SPS chief executiveStaff are tied up managing the churn of population through the prisons Tony CameronRetired SPS chief executive
"Incarceration gets in the way of rehabilitation," he said."Incarceration gets in the way of rehabilitation," he said.
"What I'd like to do is to increase the effectiveness and delivery of alternatives.""What I'd like to do is to increase the effectiveness and delivery of alternatives."
Mr Cameron said it costs £40,000 every year - over £100 a day - to keep someone in prison.Mr Cameron said it costs £40,000 every year - over £100 a day - to keep someone in prison.
"Experts tell me similar programmes to the ones delivered in prison, carried out in the community, have a better effect," he said."Experts tell me similar programmes to the ones delivered in prison, carried out in the community, have a better effect," he said.
He added: "Not only are the living conditions [in prison] more crowded than they are designed for, staff are tied up managing the churn of population through the prisons. "Not only are the living conditions [in prison] more crowded than they are designed for, staff are tied up managing the churn of population through the prisons.
"It's a bit like a hospital trying to deal with more patients than it has beds for but they can put people on waiting lists, we can't, therefore conditions inside deteriorate.""It's a bit like a hospital trying to deal with more patients than it has beds for but they can put people on waiting lists, we can't, therefore conditions inside deteriorate."
Community sentencesCommunity sentences
Mr Cameron said programmes started in prison to address addictions or offending behaviour should be carried through into the community when a prisoner is released.Mr Cameron said programmes started in prison to address addictions or offending behaviour should be carried through into the community when a prisoner is released.
Last year 16,000 community sentences were handed out.Last year 16,000 community sentences were handed out.
New laws passed last month should help the situation but social workers said they now face almost 4,000 extra cases to deal with. New laws passed last month should help the situation but social workers said they now face almost 4,000 extra cases.
David Crawford, of the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW), said: "We recognise it will put pressure on frontline services.David Crawford, of the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW), said: "We recognise it will put pressure on frontline services.
Almost 7,400 prisoners were in jail last month
"It will take time to ensure we have a skilled workforce."It will take time to ensure we have a skilled workforce.
"We're building on a strong base but it's a very significant expansion and will take time to put in place." Anne Broderick says public protection is paramount onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({storyId:6561023, fileLoc: '/player/nol/newsid_6560000/newsid_6561000/', nbram: 1,nbwm: 1,bbwm: 1,bbram: 1});return false;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6560000/newsid_6561000?redirect=6561023.stm&news=1&nbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1">Full interview
He added: "I think there is universal agreement that short-term sentences are absolutely futile if what you're trying to achieve is a reduction in re-offending. "We're building on a strong base but it's a very significant expansion and will take time to put in place.
"I think there is universal agreement that short-term sentences are absolutely futile if what you're trying to achieve is a reduction in reoffending.
"There just isn't time for the prison service or anyone else to do proper work with people that is likely to change their behaviour.""There just isn't time for the prison service or anyone else to do proper work with people that is likely to change their behaviour."
Last year, 40,000 people in Scotland were sent to jail. Half were remanded awaiting trial while the others were convicted and are serving a sentence.Last year, 40,000 people in Scotland were sent to jail. Half were remanded awaiting trial while the others were convicted and are serving a sentence.
The charity, Families Outside, said short sentences caused more problems than they solve. The charity, Families Outside, said short sentences caused more problems than they solved.
The charity does not oppose prison but said for many "old lags" a jail term is the easy option. The charity does not oppose prison but said for many "old lags" a jail term was the easy option.
It said serving a sentence in the community, and having to confront the reasons why they committed a crime in the first place is the more difficult option. It said serving a sentence in the community and having to confront the reasons why they committed a crime in the first place was the more difficult option.
Anne Broderick, a social worker with an East Renfrewshire throughcare project, backed these views.
She said public protection should be everyone's main agenda, yet short term sentences did very little to protect the public.
"It serves to separate people from family, from their social links, from their work, from their housing," she said.
"Whole elements of people's lifestyles are jeopardised when they start a short sentence."