TPS comments on stage one debate of the Criminal Justice & Licensing (Scotland) Bill
26 November 2009
Turning Point Scotland (TPS) welcomes the proposals set out in the Criminal Justice & Licensing (Scotland) Bill, which receives its Stage 1 debate today. We are particularly interested in the proposed Community Payback Orders (CPO).
CPOs could provide an opportunity for the courts, criminal justice social work and organizations such as TPS working with offenders to focus our efforts on addressing some of the causes of crime, such as substance misuse or mental ill health.
We know already that short term prison sentences provide limited scope for this. While they remain appropriate in some cases, we see our recovery based approach to supporting people to make real changes in their lives reflected in this Bill.
Martin Cawley, Chief Executive of TPS said:
"We have experience of providing a joint health and voluntary sector criminal justice service for women living or offending in Glasgow. Earlier this month 218 was commended by the Equal Opportunities Committee in their report on females in the criminal justice system, highlighting that this type of service could be replicated across Scotland where there is demonstrable demand.
"218 is not an easy option. It is a highly regarded example of an approach that could be adopted under this Bill."
The Equal Opportunities Committee commended 218 and believes that there is merit in the replication and expansion of this approach in other parts of Scotland. TPS's Turnaround service, delivered in partnership with Apex Scotland and Venture Trust, is an example of the organisation's step in this direction.
TPS supports individuals experiencing mental ill-health, including those on Compulsory Treatment orders ,in Aberdeen's STABLE service. This forms part of a package of treatment which is overseen by doctors and psychologists. By forming a partnership with individuals the feeling of compulsion is minimized, which we believe is more effective at achieving outcomes.
Martin Cawley continued:
"To really achieve the goal of improving an individual's mental health, and preventing future offending behavior, medical, psychological, housing and social support services must work together to address the holistic needs of the individual."
The Mental Health Treatment Requirement, one of the requirements that may be made under a CPO, must include person centred community support if they are to deliver their desired outcomes.
TPS would like to see:
- Partnership working - the voluntary sector organisations working with offenders to deliver the support that will be required by the CPOs must be properly involved in the design and delivery of the orders, and of criminal justice services in general.
- Resources - Services like 218 and Turnaround that support people to address the causes of their offending cannot be delivered on a shoestring. It is not just about more money; budgets need to be pooled and services need to work together to address the whole needs of the individual.
- Social and housing support - the proposed Mental Health Treatment Requirement should include social housing support alongside medical and psychological treatment requirements.
