Outgoing convener hits out at shake-up

changes: Bailie Helen Wright says the reorganisation noes not reflect local or national views

Tayside Community Justice Authority’s convener has taken a swipe at the “root and branch” change to the system.

Legislation was passed to pave the way for Scotland’s eight community justice authorities to be abolished in favour of arrangements delivered at individual local authority level.

A new national body – Community Justice Scotland (CJS) – has also been established with the intention of providing national leadership, oversight and support for community justice services.

Bailie Helen Wright, convener of Tayside CJA, said the reorganisation which will take place on March 31 did not reflect national or local views.

She made the comments in her final report to the Tayside CJA in which she also highlighted the impressive work done since its creation in 2007.

“Although this reorganisation does not reflect the considered views expressed by the national Community Justice Authorities or those expressed by and on behalf of Tayside Community Justice Authority, during the consultation process which preceded the Government’s decision, the members and officers of TCJA have worked to facilitate a smooth transfer of accountabilities,” she wrote.

“While we accepted and indeed advocated the need for change and improvement I remain convinced that these could and should have been achieved without the root and branch change which will shortly commence.”

She said the performance of the partnership which comprises TCJA “continues to show significant improvement in reducing levels of re-offending and making local communities safer places for our citizens”.

Since CJAs were formed Tayside has had the most improved reconviction figures, with a reduction rate of 8.1% compared with a reduction of 4.1% nationally and a reduction in reconviction frequency of 30.7% compared with 15% across Scotland.

Bailie Wright said its partnership with the Scottish Prison Service has continued to produce effective outcomes and positive developments.

She also highlighted the “excellent recovery focused work by staff of HMP Perth and NHS Tayside” which enables offenders to improve themselves and their life prospects for themselves and their families.

“In conclusion I am proud to have been convener since the authority’s creation in 2007; to have seen a number of the initiatives piloted here adopted across Scotland; and to have contributed to it being proved instrumental in bringing partners together across the community justice system to identify, initiate and develop a wide range of positive initiatives and programmes,” Bailie Wright added.

I remain convinced that these could and should have been achieved without the root and branch change which will shortly commence. BAILIe HeLeN WRIGHT