Hansard

I am delighted to speak in this important debate on the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill. I compliment Christine Grahame and her committee on their hard work.

I start by saying explicitly that I believe that the SNP Government has a strong record of supporting justice in Scotland, and that it will, I am sure, continue to do everything in its power to make sure that the people of Scotland are always treated fairly under the law, no matter what. The Community Justice (Scotland) Bill strengthens the role of community justice and is part of the Scottish Government’s overall strategy to tackle the social and economic effects of reoffending in Scotland.

It is important to highlight some of the weaknesses in the current community justice model. Audit Scotland reports that the total economic and social costs of reoffending in Scotland are about £3 billion a year. Thirty per cent of the offenders convicted in 2009-10 were reconvicted within one year. In fact, 9,500 of those convicted between 2010 and 2012—22 per cent of the total number of people convicted in Scotland—had 10 or more previous convictions.

I suggest that there must be more that we can do if people are committing the same crimes over and over again. The Government has an impressive record, having brought crime to a record low. The bill provides the basis for a new model for community justice in Scotland, and I wish it well.

The bill establishes community justice Scotland, which will work closely with community justice partners. As set out in the policy memorandum, the aim of the bill is

“to help create a stronger community justice system based on local collaborative strategic planning and delivery, with national leadership, support and assurance.”

Community justice Scotland will, I am sure, provide leadership and strategic direction for the community justice sector. It will also promote best practice.

Under the proposed arrangements, the main functions of community justice Scotland will be to promote the national community justice strategy that the Scottish ministers will prepare; promote public awareness of the benefits of community justice; oversee and keep the Scottish ministers informed about performance in the provision of community justice; and promote and support improvement in the provision of community justice and in making best use of resources. I understand that the Scottish Government, with relevant stakeholders, is developing the national community justice strategy, which will set the priorities and strategic direction, and that the strategy is expected to be published in June 2016.

The bill aims to curb reoffending rates and support desistance from crime. A range of other Scottish Government policies are addressing the underlying causes of offending, such as homelessness—many members have covered that—poverty and drug misuse. The new national strategy for community justice will link with other strategies, to ensure a joined-up approach.

At the Justice Committee’s meeting on 6 October, the minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said:

“Where we can reduce reoffending, that will have benefits for wider society and not just for the prison estate and the Scottish Prison Service. It will have benefits for communities and for families, whose loved ones will not be incarcerated. The impact on children will have benefits for education provision and could generate savings there. I certainly agree that tackling the issue and reducing reoffending can produce significant long-term economic and public spending benefits to Scotland.”—[Official Report, Justice Committee, 6 October 2015; c 15.]

It has been a pleasure to take part in the debate. I highlight again the importance of the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill, which reinforces the role of community justice and is part of the Scottish Government’s overall strategy to tackle the social and economic effects of reoffending in Scotland. I look forward to the bill progressing and, I hope, delivering for the people of Scotland.

In the report, “The New Model for Community Justice in Scotland”, the Government said:

“The new model will promote an improvement culture. Each Community Justice Outcomes Improvement Plan will be evidenced through annual reporting, offering transparency. The statutory Community Justice Partners will reflect on the previous year’s work and produce an annual report on the progress they have made in delivering the outcomes, improvement actions and other activity set out in their plans.

Community Justice Scotland will consider the annual reports and provide assurance, in the form of an annual report, to Scottish Ministers and Local Government leaders on the progress across Scotland towards meeting the common outcomes. This will offer transparency in the community justice reporting process and will provide opportunities for driving improvement and the identification and dissemination of best practice.”

I commend the report and wish the bill well.