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News about criminal justice in Scotland
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Latest Justice News From the Scottish Government
Appointment of part-time sheriff
New appointment to the office of part-time sheriff.
National drug deaths database
Social and medical history of every person whose life is lost to drugs will be recorded in Scotland.
Police recruitment
Justice Secretary meets new recruits.
CjScotland News Log
Friday, November 07, 2003
Sectarian crime
“First Minister welcomes tough police action on sectarian crimes: More than 50 cases of sectarianism have been reported to the Crown Office since the introduction in June of new laws to stamp out religious bigotry. Jack McConnell, the First Minister, said the number indicated how seriously the new provisions were being taken by police and the Crown Office - but accepted many cases may be hard to prove. . .” Scotsman
“50 hit by new bigotry charges” Evening Times
Posted by MM on Fri 7th Nov 2003 at 2:24 pm
Hate crimes • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Criminal justice data: how does Scotland compare with other countries?
Report
International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 2001. Home Office October 2003.
This report contains selected criminal justice data covering the EU (including the UK jurisdictions), the accession countries and some others such as Russia, South Africa, Japan and the USA.
Statistics include recorded crime rates, prison population, police numbers and data on sentencing. For example, it shows that in 2001 Scotland’s imprisonment rate (at 120 per100,000) was the 3rd highest in the EU after England and Wales and Portugal. Since then the rate has risen to 126 in 2002. Across the Irish Sea rates were more typically European with Northern Ireland at 52 and Eire at 79.
Scotland’s average homicide rate from 1999 to 2001 was 2.16 (per 100,000) - the EU average is 1.59, and south of the border (1.61).
According to this report many more people were sentenced for assault in Scotland in 1999 than other EU countries for which data was given - 229 per 100,000, compared with 90 in Sweden, 88 in France and 65 in England and Wales. However, Scots courts were more likely to impose a fine (in 51% of these cases) compared with 26% in Sweden and France and only 13% in England and Wales.
Scotland (at 370) was second to Denmark (383) in the rate of sentencing for theft. The outcome in court differs markedly between countries. In Denmark 70% are fined; 37% in Scotland, 20% in England and Wales and only 9% in France. A person convicted for theft in Scotland is less likely to be made subject to a non-custodial sentence such as CSO or probation (32%) than in England and Wales (53%); is more likely to be imprisoned (31%, 24%) and more likely to go down for under 6 months (76%, 61%).
Posted by MM on Fri 7th Nov 2003 at 3:21 am
Crime data • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Thursday, November 06, 2003
CjScotland hits the streets in this week’s Big Issue
Some of the most interesting journalism on criminal justice in Scotland can be found in the Big Issue. Editions are not available on-line for sometime after publication so buy one from a vendor. We will alert you here to any relevant stories weekly on Thursday or Friday.
The Big Issue in Scotland Issue 451, out today (Thursday November 6) includes:
News piece on CJ Scotland website (p4) and an investigation into whistleblowing in the public sector (p24).
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 11:38 pm
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Lower fines for Health and Safety crimes
Report
Health and Safety Offences and Penalties 2002/2003
“[. . .] HSE prosecutes for breaches we believe to be especially serious. I am therefore disturbed to see the overall average fine drop back last year by 21%. Some of this fall is because there have been fewer of the larger fines, but it is disappointing that the 39% increase in 2001/02 did not indicate the start of a long-overdue and marked upward trend. In fact, there has been no substantial change in the general level of fines since November 1998 when the Court of Appeal said the fines being imposed for health and safety offences were too low. . .”
Press Releases
“How do we deter employers from Breaching Health and Safety if not through proper action and tougher fines?” H.S.E.
Media
“Fines Plea on Safety” Daily Record
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 10:45 pm
Corporate issues Health and Safety Sentencing Fines • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Sentencing Young Offenders
“Young offenders in need of help:” Young criminals will not automatically be given long sentences of detention, one of the country?s senior judges has declared. Lord Gill, the Lord Justice-Clerk, said retribution and deterrence were important not decisive for teenagers who need help to avoid becoming trapped in a cycle of crime. . .” Scotsman
“You Should Have Shown Mercy to Knife Thug:” Daily Record
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 10:27 pm
Sentencing Young People • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Dealing with Young Offenders
Reports
“Dealing with Offending by Young People: A Follow-Up Report (November 2003)”. Audit Commission “This Audit Scotland report shows that while most young offenders are being supported, up to a quarter (500) under council supervision are not getting the services needed to help prevent them from reoffending. The report identifies a number of ways in which the system is failing some children who offend and calls for urgent action by councils, police and the Scottish Executive.”
“Dealing with Offending by Young People: Main report (December 2002). Audit Commission
“First national study into dealing with offending by young people. This report contains the results of the first comprehensive study to examine all of the services involved in dealing with offending by young people in Scotland. The report looks at how some ?240 million is spent and makes 38 recommendations for action. It recommends a sustained programme of action over a number of years, to be led by the Scottish Executive and supported by all of the agencies that deal with children and young adults who offend.”
Press Releases
“Inconsistencies in treatment of young offenders: [. . .] It is imperative that councils, the police and the Scottish Executive act now to prevent further problems with children who offend. . . “ Audit Commission Scotland
“Report on youth offending published “ Scot.Exec.
Media
“Young offenders ‘not supported’” BBC
“More help needed for young offenders” Scottish TV
“Tayside leading country on young offender support: Tayside Police is the only force in the country meeting national standards for referring young, offenders to Children?s Reporters. . .” Courier
“Lack of help for offenders condemned:” Herald
“Reforming child safety: [. . .] Two different sets of vulnerable children received some much overdue attention yesterday. . .” Herald. Editorial.
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 10:16 pm
Children and justice Criminal Justice Social Work Sentencing Community sentences Young People • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Follow-up Prison Inspection: Inverness
Report
HM Inspectorate Of Prisons: HMP Inverness.
Media
“Concern over jail overcrowding: Overcrowding is causing “very great” problems at Inverness Prison, according to a report. . .” BBC
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 10:02 pm
Prisons and prisoners Inspection reports • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Victim Support in Glasgow: Annual Report
“Calls for help by victims of crime soar: The number of people referred to Victim Support in Glasgow has soared by 300%, it was revealed today. . .” Evening Times
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 9:56 pm
Victims and witnesses Victim information and support • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Taking care of children in trouble
“Foster parent plan to help save kids from a life of crime: Foster parents are being sought to care for teenagers awaiting trial on charges including assault. . .” Evening Times
Posted by MM on Thu 6th Nov 2003 at 9:54 pm
Children and justice Criminal Justice Social Work Sentencing Community sentences • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Last Scottish gallows demolished
“Last Scottish gallows demolished: The last working gallows in Scotland is being demolished. The execution cell at Saughton Prison in Edinburgh hasn’t been used since 1954, when a man was hanged for killing his ex-wife. . .” Scottish TV
“Sentenced to a move: Scotland’s last used gallows are to become a tourist attraction. They are to be moved from Edinburgh’s Saughton Prison to the Old Town Jail in Stirling. . .” Daily Record 8.11.03
“Tourists get to hang out with gallows” Scotsman 8.11.03
Posted by MM on Wed 5th Nov 2003 at 9:15 pm
Sentencing • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Crime Falls: Tayside
“Report shows year-long fall in recorded crime: Last month capped a year-long drop in recorded crime across Tayside, according to new statistics revealed by the chief constable. . .” Courier
Posted by MM on Wed 5th Nov 2003 at 2:15 pm
Crime data • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Fireworks Act 2003
Act
Press Release
DTI welcomes new powers to control fireworks misuse
Media
Bonfire Ban on Deadly Rockets: Crackdown to end street terror from display fireworks.
Lethal fireworks will be banned in a crackdown to be announced on Bonfire Night. Young neds who terrorise the streets will no longer be able to buy powerful rockets and “airbombs’’. The clampdown will also impose firework curfews from 11 pm to 7 am and make it a criminal offence for kids to carry fireworks in the street. . .” Daily Record 3 Nov.
“Government crackdown on fireworks abuse” Scotsman
“Bang out of order” Scotsman Opinion
“New laws to crack down on fireworks” Evening News
Posted by MM on Wed 5th Nov 2003 at 1:59 pm
Legislation • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Privatisation of prison escorts: contract awarded to Reliance
Press Release
“Scottish Prison Service signs Escort Contract: The Scottish Prison Service has signed a contract with Reliance Secure Task Management for the escorting of prisoners in Scotland [. . .]This is the first such contract to be signed in Scotland and follows similar contracts awarded in England and Wales over the past decade. . .“ Scottish Prison Service
Media
“Private firm to escort prisoners: BBC
“Concern over private prison transport moves:” Scottish TV
“Court escort deal to free up police:” Courier
“Prisoner escort to be privatised:” Scotsman
“Prison Deal Condemned:” Daily Record
“Private deal that puts bobbies back on beat” Evening News
Posted by MM on Tue 4th Nov 2003 at 10:40 pm
Prisons and prisoners Service privatisation • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
‘Safe Cities’ funding launched
Scottish Executive press release
“Making city centres safer: Scotland?s cities are to benefit from ?1.7 million over three years to make city centres safer and more prosperous. The Scottish Safe City Centres Initiative aims to reduce the incidence and cost of crime in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling city centres. It will involve investing in initiatives such as CCTV, Radiolinks, promotion of crime reduction and community safety schemes. . .” Scot.Exec.
Research
Crime Against Business in Scotland: The Scottish Executive Central Research Unit 2001
Media
“?1 million injection to create safer city centres: A bid to make Scotland?s city centres safer, which has already funded the creation of a shoplifter database in Dundee, was officially launched by ministers today. . .“ Evening Telegraph
“Cash will make city safer: Glasgow is to get ?150,000 from the Scottish Executive to help make the city centre safer. The cash . . . will be spent on closed circuit television and other crime prevention schemes. Local authorities will match the funding, bringing the total to ?1.7m over three years. . .“Evening Times
“?300,000 to cut crime in Edinburgh centre: Authorities in the Capital will share information on shoplifters, youth disorder and beggars under an ambitious scheme for the city centre unveiled today. More than ?300,000 has been earmarked for a three-year project which will see “early warning” systems set up to help retailers, businesses and licensed premises tackle long-running problems. . .“ Evening News
Posted by MM on Tue 4th Nov 2003 at 10:29 pm
Crime Prevention • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend
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