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Community sentences must become the norm |
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Friday, 08 February 2008 |
The chair of the Scottish Government’s independent Prisons Commission has called for a fundamental shift in the way Scotland views crime and punishment.
Speaking at today’s Holyrood conference, former First Minister Henry McLeish said that to reduce the number of people in Scottish jails, prison should not be seen as the inevitable punishment for crime.
“Prison must be seen as the alternative to community sentences, not the other way around,” he said.
But McLeish acknowledged that public opinion would have to be conditioned to accept such a change.
“For the public, the punitive element of community sentences needs to be better sold. There needs to be a greater parity of esteem between custodial and community sentences, and we have to earn this.”
One person has commented on this article. 1. Community sentences must become the norm
David John MEECHAN, Unregistered Prisons should be for housing dangerous and violent criminals, not the homeless or fine defaulters etc. However, Community Service punishments must be seen to work and be worthwhile. Sentencing someone to 180 hours community service (7.5 days) over a period of several months cannot be seen as a 'real' punishment. 6 months in prison must be replaced by 6 months community service where the Local Authority will have control over the offender's daily life for six months. During this time it should take all steps to rehabilitate and reform the offender's character. Educate, train and counsel him/her.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 11 February 2008 )
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