News about criminal justice in Scotland

This is where you can find news taken from the media and other on-line sources about crime and justice issues in Scotland and, where relevant, the rest of the UK and Europe, together with press releases, original sources and other useful links. We try to update daily. If you can't immediately find what you are looking for try the site search or go to 'Archives' on menu bar. Links to other sites are for provided for your information and do not imply an endorsement of their content. Also, although CjScotland attempts to be as comprehensive as possible in its coverage we do not represent that all the information you might need can be obtained from this site. This is a person, not a computer, compiled blog.

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Latest Justice News From the Scottish Government


Minimum alcohol price named
Minimum price for alcohol will be 45p per unit.

Children's Panel recruitment
New campaign seeks Panel members to help vulnerable children.

Benefits of Community Payback
Justice Minister says payback schemes can reduce re-offending rates.


CjScotland News Log


Thursday, September 02, 2010

Forthcoming book on Criminal Justice in Scotland to be published at month end: extracts now online

Mary Munro writes

Extracts from the editor’s chapters of Croall, Mooney and Munro (eds) (September 2010) Criminal Justice in Scotland Routledge/Willan are now available here.

The existence of the separate criminal jurisdiction in Scotland is ignored by most criminological texts purporting to consider crime and criminal justice in ‘Britain’ or the ‘UK’. This book aims to fill a gap for a text that offers a critically informed analysis and understanding of crime and criminal justice in contemporary Scotland …

Posted by MM on Thu 2nd Sep 2010 at 4:05 pm
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COPFS specialist health and safety prosecution team: first year report

Update

“Firms fined £654,000 in health and safety cases” Scotsman

Following posted on 8.7.09

“Special prosecutors to take on health and safety probes” Herald
“Prosecutors target work accidents” BBC
“Specialist prosecutors to target health and safety” Law Society Journal Online

Press release

“Early pleas ease the pressure on victims of H&S cases” COPFS 1.9.10

See also

“Solicitor General launches new Health and Safety Division” COPFS

Posted by MM on Thu 2nd Sep 2010 at 8:15 am
Corporate issues Health and Safety Courts Procurators FiscalPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Annual Children’s Panel membership recruitment campaign launched

“Ingram in panel membership drive” Scotsman

Press release

“Children’s Panel recruitment” Scot.Gov.

See also

The Children’s Panel: registration of interest

Posted by MM on Thu 2nd Sep 2010 at 8:12 am
Children and justice Children's hearingsPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Police budgets, staff cuts and recruitment latest across Scotland

Update

“Fears raised of budget cut crime wave” Scotsman
“Police fury as patrols are cut at Scots ports” Express

Following posted on 1.9.10

“Fife police begins review of service” Courier
“Nothing sacrosanct when it comes to cuts, warns MacAskill” Herald
“Police officers and council tax freeze facing axe” Telegraph
“North–east could lose 250 police after cuts” Press and Journal
“Strathclyde Police set to axe more than half of their traffic cops” Daily Record
“Tayside Police may refuse freedom of information requests” Courier
“Bobbies’ voice needs to be cautioned over his language on cuts” Telegraph

Following posted on 30.8.10

“Murder rates will soar as a result of budget cuts, warns cops’ leader” Daily Record
“Key cop units will be hit if 3200 jobs cut” Evening Times
“The thinner blue line: how the cuts could hit the police” Herald
“More police officers are no guarantee of a fall in crime” Herald
“Fears for north crime detection rates” Press and Journal
“We must be exempted from cuts, warn police” Scotsman
“‘Murder rate will soar if ministers cut 2,800 police jobs’” Express
“Swingeing cuts ‘could see 2800 police officer posts vanish’” STV
“Scottish police cuts ‘could see 2,800 officers go’” BBC

Following posted on 27.8.10

“Police chief’s doomsday scenario for cuts to force” Herald
“Hundreds of police jobs go as budget cuts bite” Scotsman
“Police face purge of 800 jobs in budget cut” Express
“Strathclyde Police confirms plans to cut jobs” STV
“We’ve got no choice on cuts” Scottish Sun
“Central Scotland Police plan to cut 23% of officers” BBC
“Dumfries and Galloway police job cut fears hit morale” BBC

Following posted on 25.8.10

“Backing for Tayside Police chief’s approach to cuts” Courier
“Strathclyde Police ‘to lose 400 officers’” Herald
“Strathclyde Police budget will mean huge staff losses” Evening Times
“Strathclyde Police set to axe up to 210 officers as part of bid to save £45m” Daily Record
“Policing of Games at risk if force cuts go ahead” Herald
“Strathclyde preparing for loss of 210 officers” Scotsman
“SNP under fire after Herald reveals police cuts” Herald

Following posted on 18.8.10

“Strathclyde Police set to axe ‘one–in–four’ civilian workers to save £45m, leaked email reveals” Daily Record
“Warning as 600 police support jobs axed” Evening Times
“There is a case to be made for police to be exempt from cuts” Herald
“Leaked email reveals Strathclyde Police are to axe civilian staff” STV
“Strathclyde Police civilian staff ‘to be cut by 25%’” BBC
“Hundreds of police jobs to go as cash cuts bite” Herald

Following posted on 2.8.10

“Tayside Police halts job applications – for now” Courier

Following posted on 28.7.10

“SNP police pledge to unravel by 2012” Telegraph
“3000 Scots police jobs facing the axe within the next four years” Daily Record

Following posted on 16.7.10

“Police forces facing recruitment dilemma” Courier
“Police chief warns cuts will hit efforts to keep crime down” Scotsman

Following posted on 15.7.10

“More Scots police forces reveal plans to freeze recruitment” STV
“Police chiefs refuse bonus” Scottish Sun

Following posted on 14.7.10

“Strathclyde Police announce recruitment freeze as 100 probationary officers have college places scrapped” Daily Record
“Police forces freeze recruitment” Herald
“Police chief and deputy to give up bonuses” Herald
“Recruitment freeze as Strathclyde Police faces squeeze on its spending” Scotsman
“Strathclyde Police freeze recruitment of new officers” STV
“Cops slap freeze on new recruits” Scottish Sun
“Spending cuts prompt police recruitment freeze” Telegraph
“Rising crime warning over police jobs freeze” BBC

Following posted on 8.7.10

“Police warn size of cuts make single force move inevitable” Herald
“Dumfries and Galloway police issue job cuts warning” BBC

“Long arm of the law is cut back” Evening News

Following posted on 2.7.10

“Job fears as police force looks to make savings” Courier
“Frontline police tell chiefs to wake up over huge cuts” Herald

Following posted on 28.6.10

“Police chief tells force to expect ‘radical’ changes” Scotsman
“Lothian and Borders Police in ‘radical’ savings plan” BBC
“Police fight threat to frontline operations” Press and Journal

Following posted on 31.5.10

“Chief constable of Strathclyde: ‘I can’t guarantee police numbers’” Scotsman

“No guarantee on resources for policing” Evening News
“Warning on future of front–line police” STV
“Anger at police support staff cuts” Times

Following posted on 20.5.10

“Police chiefs told to keep recruiting” Courier
“MacAskill accused of playing politics over funding of police officers” Herald
“Chief constables must not be subjects of political expediency” Herald
“Police warn Kenny MacAskill over budget cuts” Telegraph
“Carry on recruiting, minister tells chief constables” Times
“Kenny MacAskill moves to tackle police row” BBC

“Police anger at cuts ‘agenda’” Herald
“Cuts to police could have hidden costs” Herald
“Police take umbrage at civil servants” Herald

Press release

“Strathclyde Police Freezes Recruitment of Officers and Staff” Strathclyde Police (July 2010)

See also

Scottish Parliament Official Report 19.5.10:  Statement on police numbers by Cabinet Secretary for Justice

Scottish Police Federation

Posted by MM on Thu 2nd Sep 2010 at 8:09 am
PolicePermalinkTell-a-Friend


Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Parades and marches in Glasgow: restrictions and policing charges mooted

Update

“Council in bid to ban parades in centre of Glasgow” Herald
“Rights must not be sacrificed to cost” Herald
“I want to protest against the plan to rein in those parades” Herald
“Plans to axe city parades ‘a sham’ says Orange Order” Evening Times

Following posted on 28.9.09

“Revealed: the true cost of Strathclyde‘s 1000 parades” The Herald
“Toll of violence from parades and policing costs revealed” The Herald
“The cost of parades” The Herald
“Day of widespread violence” The Scotsman
“Police reveal cost of parades is £1.7m” Evening Times

Posted by KM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 12:15 pm
PolicePermalinkTell-a-Friend


Obituary of William McAfee: first Catholic Procurator Fiscal

“William McAfee obituary” Guardian

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 12:40 pm
Courts Procurators FiscalPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Civitas report on short prison and community sentences comparison claims costs of latter hidden

“Short jail terms work, expert claims” Scotsman

See also

Report exposes hidden costs of community sentences over custody

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 12:36 pm
Criminal justice reform Criminal Justice Social Work Sentencing Community sentences Prison sentencesPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Scottish Labour Party Alcohol Commission report published

Update

“Alcohol commission calls for minimum booze prices to tackle drinking culture” Daily Record
“Calls for standard price limit on alcohol across UK” Herald
“Plan to tackle alcohol abuse is worth trying” Herald
“Alcohol minimum price recommended” Independent
“Alternative to alcohol pricing policy produced” Press and Journal
“Alcohol policy should aim for moderation, not stigma” Scotsman
“Labour reveals masterplan to beat alcohol culture” Scotsman
“Over the limit” Scottish Sun
“Labour commission urges alcohol sponsorship ban” Telegraph
“Labour’s commission calls for alcohol ‘floor price’” BBC

Following posted on 8.2.10

“Labour wants to ban Buckfast over its high caffeine content” Herald
“Labour drinks ban to target Buckfast wine” Scotsman
“Labour: ban high–caffeine alcohol” Times
“Labour want ‘‘de–caf’ Buckfast” STV
“Call to cut caffeine in alcohol” BBC
“Radical plan to tackle Scotland’s drink culture” Evening Times
“Labour alcohol review plans ban on Buckfast” Herald
“Proposal to limit amount of caffeine per litre of alcohol” Press and Journal
“Leader comment: Alcohol Bill” Evening News
“Commission out to target Buckfast ban” Express
“Buckfast ban proposed by Labour” Telegraph
“Labour commission to find alternatives to minimum pricing” STV

Press release

“Response to Alcohol Commission” Scot.Gov.

At the time of posting there is nothing current on the Scottish Labour Party site relating to the Alcohol Commission.

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 12:20 pm
Legislation Alcohol etc. (Scotland) BillPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Apex lecture on women and the Scottish justice system to be given by Vivien Stern

“Treatment of women offenders comes under scrutiny” Law Society Journal Online

‘An Unmet Commitment: Women and the Justice System in Scotland’ to be given by Baroness Vivien Stern CBE, and introduced by Sir Menzies Campbell CBE QCMP in the Signet Library, Parliament Square, Edinburgh on Tuesday 7 September 2010 at 6.30pm. The Lecture will be followed by a reception.’ Please notify your attendance to

See also

http://www.apexscotland.org.uk/

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 12:18 pm
Criminal justice reform Gender and crimePermalinkTell-a-Friend


Dundee sheriff critical of police delays in summary justice trial preparation

“Police must ‘get their act together’ before trials, says sheriff” Courier

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 12:12 pm
Courts Summary Justice PolicePermalinkTell-a-Friend


Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2006–07 and 2007–08 Offender Cohorts published

“Reoffending in Scotland hits a 10–year high” Herald
“Reoffending rate ‘drops from 73% to 42% with community sentences’” Scotsman
“Re–offending rates are soaring” Express
“Criminals released from jail are increasingly likely to reoffend, figures suggest” STV
“Shorter jail time ‘failure’” Scottish Sun
“Recidivism in Scotland at record levels” Telegraph
“Number of re–offenders in Scotland hits 10–year high” BBC
“One in every five offenders reconvicted in six months” Evening News

Press releases

“Reconviction rates” Scot. Gov.
“Benefits of Community Payback” Scot.Gov.

See also

Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2006–07 and 2007–08 Offender Cohorts

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 10:04 am
Crime data SentencingPermalinkTell-a-Friend


BBC Radio Scotland Think Tank discussion on prisons this morning

BBC Radio Scotland 11.30 Wednesday 1.9.10 and 10.30 Sunday 5.9.10: “Prison doesn’t work. But how should we be dealing with criminality, poverty, addiction and often mental health? In Think Tank Don Coutts asks four radical thinkers – Jonathan Aitken, Rosie Kane, Alec Spencer and Charlie Martin who all have first hand experience of prison – to come together as a kind of design team to re–think Scotland’s prison system.”

Posted by MM on Wed 1st Sep 2010 at 8:48 am
Media Prisons and prisonersPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Monday, August 30, 2010

Barlinnie governor McKinlay calls for fewer prisons and prisoners

“Cuts may lead to prison riots, warns governor of Barlinnie” Scotsman

Posted by MM on Mon 30th Aug 2010 at 8:50 am
Prisons and prisonersPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Art by offenders on show at Filmhouse this week

“Cell production: Prison art on display” Herald

http://www.filmhousecinema.com/cafe-bar/exhibitions/

Posted by MM on Mon 30th Aug 2010 at 8:46 am
Media Prisons and prisonersPermalinkTell-a-Friend


SCDEA launches cannabis farm campaign

“Scotland’s hash trade worth £40m as police launch new crackdown on gangs being illegal cannabis farms” Daily Record
“Nosy neighbours needed to tackle cannabis crime gangs” Express
“Cannabis factories face fresh crackdown” STV
“Hash gang invasion” Scottish Sun
“Drugs agency in plea to ‘weed out’ cannabis farms” BBC

Posted by MM on Mon 30th Aug 2010 at 8:39 am
Drugs and alcohol Police CampaignsPermalinkTell-a-Friend


Specialist sexual crime prosecution unit: Ogg argues for short rotation

Update

“Sex crimes unit staff told they cannot remain in job for longer than 18 months” Daily Record

Following posted on 26.6.09

“Crack new unit to hunt down sex monsters” Daily Record
“New sex crime chief’s warning for perverts: We’re after YOU” Daily Record
“Expert unit probing sexual crimes” BBC

Following posted on 9.3.09

“New expert unit launched to hunt Scotland’s worst sex beasts” Daily Record
“National unit to investigate sex crimes” Herald
“Lord Advocate launches National Sexual Crimes Unit” Law Society Journal Online

Press release

“The Lord Advocate speaks at National Conference on Sexual Crime” COPFS June 2009
“Lord Advocate Announces Launch of National Sexual Crimes Unit” COPFS March 2009

Also

CjScotland 19.6.06: COPFS review of prosecution of sexual offences published

Posted by MM on Mon 30th Aug 2010 at 7:06 am
Courts Procurators Fiscal Gender and crime Victims and witnessesPermalinkTell-a-Friend

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