Scottish Government

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CONTENTS

Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
The key issues
The main strands
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF THE DATA
Presentation of the data
THE WAY FORWARD

SECTION 1 REDUCING REOFFENDING: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
STRENGTHS OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM
Specific services
General strengths
Ways of working
Responsiveness and accountability
Effectiveness and potential of some disposals
Staff strengths
WEAKNESSES IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM
The nature of provision
Organisational issues
Policy and process issues
Resources / funding
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CURRENT SYSTEM
THE IDENTIFICATION OF SHARED OBJECTIVES
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR REOFFENDING

SECTION 2 THE PURPOSE OF PRISON
ISSUES FOR SHORT TERM PRISONERS AND PERSISTENT OFFENDERS
Current issues in addressing needs
Provision of support
The reduction of imprisonment
Addressing other weaknesses
EFFECTIVE REINTEGRATION
Barriers to effective reintegration
Suggestions for reintegration
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF SENTENCES

SECTION 3 ADDRESSING RE-OFFENDING
EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS
Addressing the causes
Disposals / interventions
Characteristics of successful interventions
PERCEPTIONS OF OFFENDER PROGRAMMES
Current issues with programmes
The need for consistency
Ensuring effective, consistent and complementary programmes
OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS TO MEASURES

SECTION 4 AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
BARRIERS TO SEAMLESS MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION
IMPROVEMENTS TO SEAMLESS SERVICE DELIVERY AND COMMUNICATION
Non-structural changes
Potential structural solutions (including the development of a single agency)
Other structural solutions
RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS FOR INCLUSION
IMPACT ON THE CHILDREN'S HEARING SYSTEM
General concerns
The value of the children's hearing system
Lessons / cross fertilisation and links
The focus of the children's hearing system and suggested developments

SECTION 5 EFFECTIVENESS AND VALUE FOR MONEY
SOURCES OF INEFFICIENCY AND INEFFECTIVENESS
Meeting the needs of offenders
Co-ordination and means of working
The criminal justice process
Effectiveness of disposals
Staff issues
USE OF RESOURCES
PROMOTING EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS AND VALUE FOR MONEY
Improving the use of resources
THE CONSULTATION OVERALL