government publication

This report has been produced by the Ministry of Justice’s Analytical Services Directorate to provide a context for the policy options set out in the Green Paper ‘Breaking the cycle: effective punishment, rehabilitation and sentencing of offenders’.

It summarises the main findings emerging from an assessment of a variety of evidence sources that have been reviewed to support policy development on rehabilitation and sentencing in recent months.

This evidence includes published research and statistics, as well as bespoke analyses of survey and administrative data.

The safety and security of the law-abiding citizen is a key priority of the coalition government. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home and in their community. When that safety is threatened, those responsible should face a swift and effective response. People rely on the criminal justice system to deliver that response: punishing offenders, protecting the public, and reducing reoffending.

This Research Paper summarises a wide range of social statistics. Subjects covered include crime and justice, defence, education, elections, health and population. This edition includes an article on "The CPI – uprating benefits and pensions". The Topical subject page includes information about fuel poverty and seasonal flu statistics.

This strategy sets out the Government’s approach to tackling drugs and addressing alcohol dependence, both of which are key causes of societal harm, including crime, family breakdown and poverty.

Parents or grandparents who cannot agree arrangements to see children with whom they do not live may turn to the courts to resolve their disputes. The Scottish court system puts children at the centre of decisions that affect them. A key mechanism for this is the Child Welfare Hearing (CWH), which parties must attend, in which sheriffs have extensive powers to intervene.

Since the Scottish Office guidance, Protecting Children – A Shared Responsibility, was published in 1998, the child protection landscape in Scotland has developed considerably. New legislation, new areas of practice and new approaches have shaped activity at both national and local level.

Alcohol is a significant and growing problem in Scotland in terms of mortality, morbidity and social harm. From 2001 to 2005, alcohol-related deaths rose by 15% and general hospital admissions by 7% while recent results from the Scottish Crime and Victimisation Survey indicate that more people view alcohol as a serious social problem. Yet surveys of alcohol consumption suggest that Scots may be drinking less. As they are the main source of data for national monitoring of drinking behaviour, it is important that survey estimates of alcohol consumption are as robust as possible.

This document sets out the Scottish Executive’s detailed proposals for a Scottish Human Rights Commission. The Scottish Executive believes that this new body will be a key means to ensure that human rights are protected in Scotland and will also help to develop a ‘culture’ of human rights. By promoting human rights, the Commission will work to ensure that you are more aware of your rights in the future and that you understand how they apply to you and to your family. This consultation paper focuses on the remit, functions and structure of the Commission.

The Adult Protection Shared Learning Initiative identified the need for developments in risk assessment, protection planning and standards. This paper presents the standards and the risk assessment and protection planning formats.

Pack designed to facilitate responses to the UK Government's consultation on children, young people and alcohol. It contains information to help provoke discussion and guidance on how to record and feedback what is said.