criminal justice

In 2013-15, the Scottish Government funded 16 projects proposed by criminal justice partners across Scotland to develop community services for women who offend. Developments were based on existing service provision and to ensure changes could be sustained locally at the end of the funding. Funding varied in amount and timeframes. Most of the projects were undertaken by local authority criminal justice social work1 (CJSW) departments with partner providers, including public and third sector agencies.

Little is known about the effects of repeated imprisonment. Very few research studies have examined how those who are punished by the criminal justice system experience and interpret their sentences. Research that does exist, like my PhD, has largely focused on one single sentence. But people who have served many sentences (in other words, who have long punishment careers), are likely not to experience criminal punishments in isolation, but in the context of their wider lives and previous sentences.

One of the ways in which the Commission monitors individuals' care and treatment is through the visits programme. It visits individuals in a range of settings throughout Scotland: at home, in hospital or in any other setting such as prisons where care and treatment is being delivered.

This report details findings from visits between May and September 2013 to 51 women who met the above criteria and makes a number of recommendations in response to these findings.

Consultation document that invites views on the details of the proposed new model for community justice in Scotland.

Paper that calls on the government to present a coherent, far-sighted programme to tackle the UK's gang problem. In doing so it highlights the plight of girls and young women associated with gangs, who are often marginalised in discussion of these issues.

Video story of Alan Weaver, a former prisoner who successfully desisted from criminal behaviour. It was produced as part of a project to share knowledge and improve understanding about why people desist from offending.

Report that presents the findings of a written consultation carried out by the Scottish Government on 'Redesigning the Community Justice System'. The consultation took place between 20 December 2012 and 30 April 2013.

Research that is a call to action for all services to improve the way we respond to people with mental health problems who have been victims of crime. As one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year, this is an issue that can't be ignored or dismissed.

Fact sheet on child trafficking and guidelines for identification.

The Scottish Government introduced the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill in the Parliament on 20 June 2013. It includes provisions: