Letters: Reoffending requires novel solutions

CLAIMS at First Minister's Questions this week that suggest some prisoners have a record of up to 40 previous convictions prior to being jailed is a cause for great concern to all agencies involved in criminal justice as well as our communities in Scotland.

There is no doubt that many of these cases brought before court are for less serious offences. That is not to say they are victimless, or do not cause great hardship and concern within our communities, but we must do more to intervene early and effectively before such offending becomes something altogether greater and more harmful.

That means tackling the root causes of this offending as early as possible.

Drug and alcohol misuse, mental health issues, deprivation, school exclusion and lack of employment opportunities are all major factors in leading young people to set out on a life of offending.

Sacro, as a community safety group, is wholeheartedly in support of the spirit and ethos of the Community Payback Order. The opportunity it brings sentencers to ensure they do not see the same people before them, time and again, offers the potential to be a major step forward in reducing reoffending.

The new order provides sentencers with the option to require offenders to undertake, not just unpaid activities, but a requirement to actively address the causes of their offending by engaging with treatment and support services.

It is only by having effective services to address these factors in the community that they will ever have a chance to change their behaviour and live responsibly within those communities.

A commitment is now required from all involved in criminal justice to ensure this radical new initiative is given a chance to succeed.

Tom Halpin

Chief executive, Sacro

Edinburgh

TOO many young people are dying through knife crime.

Courts should be able to sentence the perpetrators to detention in camps run by the army on National Service lines.

After six months of discipline, young offenders could then be sent to assist those in need for the remainder of their sentences.

James Nimmo

Erskine Hill

Polmont