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/7113873.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Fewer jailed in sentencing revamp | Fewer jailed in sentencing revamp |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Plans to cut Scotland's prison population by handing community sentences to minor offenders have been announced by ministers. | Plans to cut Scotland's prison population by handing community sentences to minor offenders have been announced by ministers. |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said short jail terms often failed to tackle criminal behaviour. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said short jail terms often failed to tackle criminal behaviour. |
| Reoffending levels for those jailed for less than six months are almost double the rates for those handed non-custodial sentences. | Reoffending levels for those jailed for less than six months are almost double the rates for those handed non-custodial sentences. |
| The Tories claimed SNP ministers were more interested in emptying prisons. | The Tories claimed SNP ministers were more interested in emptying prisons. |
| The government stressed that non-jail penalties would be tough, while offering the chance for offenders to turn their lives around. | The government stressed that non-jail penalties would be tough, while offering the chance for offenders to turn their lives around. |
| Community sentencing does have a part to play in our justice system but they must never be the easy option in the criminals' minds Bill AitkenTory justice spokesman | Community sentencing does have a part to play in our justice system but they must never be the easy option in the criminals' minds Bill AitkenTory justice spokesman |
| "Wherever possible I believe the public want to see offenders engage in worthwhile activities and give something meaningful back to the community for the misery and disruption they have caused," said Mr MacAskill. | "Wherever possible I believe the public want to see offenders engage in worthwhile activities and give something meaningful back to the community for the misery and disruption they have caused," said Mr MacAskill. |
| "Where someone can be made to pay back for the wrong they have done, that should be the norm." | "Where someone can be made to pay back for the wrong they have done, that should be the norm." |
| The justice secretary said he expected to see an increase in community sentences, saying it would allow prison staff to concentrate more on working with serious and dangerous offenders serving jail sentences. | The justice secretary said he expected to see an increase in community sentences, saying it would allow prison staff to concentrate more on working with serious and dangerous offenders serving jail sentences. |
| About 70% of those jailed receive sentences of six months or less - but 75% of them reoffend within two years. | About 70% of those jailed receive sentences of six months or less - but 75% of them reoffend within two years. |
| In comparison, 39% of offenders receiving community sentences offend again. | In comparison, 39% of offenders receiving community sentences offend again. |
| Mr MacAskill says offenders must give something back | |
| Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said prisons provided an ideal opportunity to tackle offending behaviour. | Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said prisons provided an ideal opportunity to tackle offending behaviour. |
| "Community sentencing does have a part to play in our justice system but they must never be the easy option in the criminals' minds," he said. | "Community sentencing does have a part to play in our justice system but they must never be the easy option in the criminals' minds," he said. |
| "Suspicion persists that the SNP will dress up changes to community sentencing, which may well include some sensible proposals, as tough alternatives when the truth is the SNP just want to empty our prisons." | "Suspicion persists that the SNP will dress up changes to community sentencing, which may well include some sensible proposals, as tough alternatives when the truth is the SNP just want to empty our prisons." |
| As well as community service and probation, other non-custodial penalties in Scotland include electronic tagging and drug treatment and testing orders. | As well as community service and probation, other non-custodial penalties in Scotland include electronic tagging and drug treatment and testing orders. |
| Although their use by the courts has been increasing, Scotland still has a relatively high rate of imprisonment, at 141 per 100,000 population, compared with 66 in Norway and 70 in Denmark. | Although their use by the courts has been increasing, Scotland still has a relatively high rate of imprisonment, at 141 per 100,000 population, compared with 66 in Norway and 70 in Denmark. |
| The government's plan, outlined in an official report, was welcomed by the Association of Directors of Social Work in Scotland. | The government's plan, outlined in an official report, was welcomed by the Association of Directors of Social Work in Scotland. |