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'Radical' approach to reoffending 'Radical' approach to reoffending
(about 3 hours later)
The Scottish Government is to announce a major funding programme to drive down reoffending rates. The Scottish Government has announced £3m of funding for a programme to drive down reoffending rates.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will outline the plans as he launches the Turnaround project in Ayrshire, which aims to rehabilitate male offenders. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill launched the Turnaround project in Ayrshire, which aims to rehabilitate male offenders.
Mr MacAskill told BBC Scotland it was time for a radical approach to tackling the problem.Mr MacAskill told BBC Scotland it was time for a radical approach to tackling the problem.
Ministers said community sentences were a better alternative than short jail terms for addressing reoffending.Ministers said community sentences were a better alternative than short jail terms for addressing reoffending.
The Conservatives said the government was only interested in emptying prisons, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats have warned the policy should not put public safety at risk.The Conservatives said the government was only interested in emptying prisons, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats have warned the policy should not put public safety at risk.
We believe less serious offenders currently cluttering our jails should be paying back their debts to society Kenny MacAskillJustice secretary MacAskill's vision We believe less serious offenders currently cluttering our jails should be paying back their debts to society Kenny MacAskillJustice secretary MacAskill's vision class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4183&edition=1&ttl=20080130100556">Send us your views
Turnaround will focus on males aged between 18 and 30 who have received multiple remand or short-term prison sentences and have failed in community-based alternatives - a group which makes up almost half the Scottish prison population.Turnaround will focus on males aged between 18 and 30 who have received multiple remand or short-term prison sentences and have failed in community-based alternatives - a group which makes up almost half the Scottish prison population.
The government has pointed out that Scotland sends more people to prison than almost any other country in Western Europe, and said it was now widely recognised that the strategy was not an effective way to cut reconviction rates.The government has pointed out that Scotland sends more people to prison than almost any other country in Western Europe, and said it was now widely recognised that the strategy was not an effective way to cut reconviction rates.
Writing for the BBC Scotland news website, Mr MacAskill said one of the biggest problems was how to offer damaged and damaging young men a path out of crime.Writing for the BBC Scotland news website, Mr MacAskill said one of the biggest problems was how to offer damaged and damaging young men a path out of crime.
He said: "Prison places should be for serious and dangerous offenders. We will make sure that those offenders are properly managed throughout their sentence to reduce their risk to the public and stop them reoffending.He said: "Prison places should be for serious and dangerous offenders. We will make sure that those offenders are properly managed throughout their sentence to reduce their risk to the public and stop them reoffending.
"We believe less serious offenders currently cluttering our jails should be paying back their debts to society - not adding to society's bill for their bed and board.""We believe less serious offenders currently cluttering our jails should be paying back their debts to society - not adding to society's bill for their bed and board."
Turnaround, which will cover North Strathclyde and South West Scotland, will give priority to vulnerable people trying to cope with substance abuse, mental health problems, homelessness and a lack of social skills.Turnaround, which will cover North Strathclyde and South West Scotland, will give priority to vulnerable people trying to cope with substance abuse, mental health problems, homelessness and a lack of social skills.
The project is based on Glasgow's 218 women's service.The project is based on Glasgow's 218 women's service.