Meeting of the Parliament 19 November 2015
I accept that. Certainly, when I was a Justice Committee member, we met men and women in prison who had suffered the experience of becoming institutionalised and, because of that, were frightened to return to general society.
A way forward would be a commitment from the minister that he would like to see locally focused community solutions that accept responsibility for what they seek to achieve. I caution him that by indicating that he will introduce a new model he has raised hopes and created the anticipation that things will change for the better.
Several members alluded to the fact that the people who deliver services have become jaded and overwhelmed by what has been described as a cluttered landscape; I agree with colleagues who are concerned that we are merely adding to that landscape another tier of authority that is seen as being part of the solution but which might become part of a future problem.
Another step—a re-jig—does not answer the questions that were asked by the two reports in 2012. I am, therefore, pleased that the minister has said that he is listening to comments from around the chamber. He seems to be taking a welcome approach and is saying not only that he is listening but that, where he is persuaded, he will change direction—particularly in relation to the definitions that we have discussed, but also on the leadership and governance issues that pertain.
One element that we have all avoided, but which has a particular impact on the whole scene, is the filthy money. Activity follows money, and those who are able to control budgets can demand service delivery and ensure that it occurs. One hopes that, within that budget relationship, governance will ensure that someone will be effectively held to account for the money that is being spent on behalf of the public in trying to resolve the issues of reoffending, so that we drive up service delivery and bring people back into active life in our communities.
There is confusion out there regarding the links to community planning and other service delivery plans. One hopes that the minister will pay attention to the reservations that have been expressed about that.
COSLA was good enough to provide a briefing paper for the debate; I trust that the minister will pay particular attention to the points that COSLA makes in that paper. There is obviously a sensitivity about nationally driven plans not operating on the local platform with the effectiveness that one would want.
In concluding, I draw the minister’s attention to the briefing paper from Barnardo’s Scotland, which reiterates the definition of community justice. I agree with back-bench members that our commitment should begin not after the first conviction but long before that. We know about some of the problems that lead people into the criminal justice system and we know that, once those people are badged, it is hard for them to escape the pressures that come thereafter.
We support the minister in his efforts and we look forward to seeing the amendments that he will lodge at stage 2.
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