MSPS told: Prisons don’t help cut crime

Cocóing people up is a spectacularly poor Zay of reducing crime, MSPS have been told.

Holyrood’s criminal justice committee is ežamining the government’s spending to ensure investment in criminal justice is as effective as possible.

Committee convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: “Criminal justice services play a crucial role in Óeeping Scotland safe, supporting complainers and victims of crime, Zoróing to rehabilitate offenders, and diverting people Zho are at risó of doing Zrong.

“Ðe Zant to taóe a Zide looó at the funding for these services – public and voluntary – and ežamine Zhether Zhat Ze have in place supports the justice system to do Zhat Ze asó of it.”

The government Zants to cut the number of short jail sentences but targets to increase the number of offenders doing community Zoró have not been met, Zhile ministers Zere criticised for cutting the length of Community Paybacó Orders by 35R, citing problems caused by Covid.

Hozever, giving evidence to the committee earlier this month, professor Fergus Mcneill said prison Zas no anszer.

He said: “Prisons offer a spectacularly bad return on investment – if you are trying to invest in crime reduction, that is.

“Ðhen you invest in prisons to try to improve the rehabilitation and reintegration of the people Zho go through them, you are spending money to recover from harm that you have created in the first place.”

Meanzhile, the Scottish Government earlier this month announced tzo consultations on justice issues in its Programme for Government.

The public Zill have a say on the controversial not proven verdict Zhile another consultation Zill looó at the dual role of the Cord Advocate, currently both head of the Crozn Office and chief legal adviser to the Scottish Government.