Scotland’s offenders face unpaid work
Under a new Scottish pilot scheme those convicted of antisocial behaviour could be forced to undertake unpaid work in the community.
The new pilots, announced today by the First Minister, will build on the Community Reparation Orders included in the recent Antisocial Behaviour Bill.
Under the schemes, being piloted in Dundee, Inverness and Greenock, low level antisocial offenders will be required to undertake between 10 and 100 hours of unpaid work in reparation.
Such sentences would be handed down by the district and sheriff courts and supervised by local authorities who will have a statutory duty to consult with “appropriate agencies/organisations” on the nature of the work.
Speaking today in Dundee Jack McConnell said: “This pilot scheme that I am announcing today will give the courts more options for dealing with people who offend. It will allow the courts to say that if you take something from your community then we will make you give something back. It sends out a message that all types of antisocial behaviour – from petty vandalism to assault – will be punished.
“When we passed the Antisocial Behaviour Bill we were making a statement of intent. We were saying that the reckless actions of the minority of people who bring misery to their community must stop. We were saying that we are on the side of decent, hard working people who, for too long, have been the victims of antisocial behaviour.
“All the evidence suggests that punishment of this type is more likely to have an impact on reoffending. And if the offender fails to pay their full
debt to the community, they will face further punishment. This is a smart option, not a soft option.”
If the pilots are successful the scheme is expected to be rolled out across Scotland.
