Plea for instant New York justice in Scotland

Published on Thursday 18 March 2010 21:38

A TOUGH New York-inspired community punishment scheme would be brought to Scotland under plans unveiled yesterday.

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken wants community courts, like the one which has cut crime by 40 per cent in Midtown, Manhattan, trialled in Glasgow.

Offenders will be arrested, charged, put before the court and sent to work in the community, all within 24 hours.

They will wear uniforms and have signs put up so the public can see justice in action. And if they breach the order they will automatically face a short, custodial sentence, before continuing their community service.

If the scheme proves successful community courts could be rolled out across Scotland. Just 60 per cent of community punishment orders are completed in Scotland.

"Community punishment has got to be visible," said Mr Aitken, who is convener of the Scottish Parliament's justice committee. We're not going down the route of the Alabama chain gang, but the local community has got to be able to see it happening.

"It has to be strictly and rigorously enforced and clearly marked 'community service project'.

"There's a lot of work in Glasgow that needs to be done, which is not going to get done otherwise, particularly as this is a time of cut-backs."

The justice committee is currently looking at sentencing as part of the Scottish Justice Bill which is approaching its final weeks.

It includes the introduction of a Community Payback Order to replace community sentencing, which is designed to be simpler, more robust and immediate.

The Scottish Government has been impressed by the New York model but has concerns about the cost of refurbishing the suggested location of the former Central Police Office in Turnbull Street, and has already set its stall out against short sentences with proposals to scrap all those under six months.

However, Mr Aitken said: "I think it will happen in time. The only hurdles are finance and concerns about short-term jail sentences. I do want to keep people out of jail but they have to be made to see the unpleasant consequences to them if they do not moderate their behaviour."

A spokesman for Victim Support Scotland said: ''We are aware of how these courts operate, particularly in the US, and as a victims' organisation we're supportive of the idea of justice in the community.

"It will be interesting to see where these proposals go."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We already have courts to bring swift punishment to offenders, and the success of community service schemes in countries like America is exactly why we are looking to make more effective use of sending offenders out to repay their dues to the community, because the evidence shows it stops offenders going on to commit further crimes.

"Anyone who breaches the terms of their punishment could already face prison and community service work is signposted in areas across Scotland to demonstrate to the community the benefits being delivered by the manual labour being carried out."