Progress on criminal justice initiatives reported
Last updated | 13/06/2008
A report to Perth & Kinross Council's Community Safety Committee on Wednesday 18 June 2008 will highlight progress on a number of initiatives in relation to criminal justice and rehabilitation of offenders.
Specialist programmes for domestic violence and drink-driving offenders have begun running in the last six months. The domestic violence programme is different from other similar initiatives in Tayside in that it can assess more directly the impact it is having through links with the partners of those involved. The new drink-driving programme involves workers from both the Criminal Justice Service and the Drug and Alcohol Team. It is intended that this integrated approach will also be used for developing other services for offenders.
The transformation of a derelict allotment area in Craigie into a community garden by offenders carrying out community service orders has also got underway, after consultation with local residents. Further discussion with the local community will take place on the final layout of the garden and who will take ownership of it once the work is complete.
Additionally, following a successful application for funding on behalf of the Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership, a new project designed to help stop repeat offending by young people aged 16-21 will be taken forward. 'Making Connections - Preparing for Change' will deliver a mentoring scheme, intensive monitoring and work with families and individuals to supervise and support young offenders in Perth and Kinross on deferred sentence, probation or community service. The aim of the project is to ensure compliance with the stringent requirements of court orders and ultimately to reduce the levels of young people going into custody.
Community Safety Convener, Councillor Willie Robertson said: "The initiatives covered in this report build on and strengthen the links we already have with other agencies locally to tackle criminal justice issues. I am particularly pleased that we are in a position as a result of our successful funding bid, one of only two in Scotland, to develop measures and services that support positive change by young offenders and reduce the likelihood of re-offending in the future."
