Victims of crime to work with offenders

Victims of crime are to work with young offenders as part of a
package of developments launched by the Scottish executive.

In announcing the executive’s ‘Action Programme to Reduce
Crime’, first minister Jack McConnell said: “Youth crime scars the
lives of too many individuals and communities in Scotland. I am
determined that all our young people are given the chance to
achieve their best and play a valuable role in our society.”

The action programme aims to increase public confidence in the
youth justice system which should strive to help young people
thrive. Victims of crime will be given a role in the direct
services and policies of the initiative.

The transition between youth justice, administered by the
children’s hearing service, and adult criminal justice,
administered by the courts, is to be eased by more community
options being made available to both. Multi-agency youth justice
teams involving social work, police, education and parents groups
have been established in every local authority.

Cathy Jamieson, minister for education and young people, spoke
out in favour of community-based solutions which involve victims in
the process. She said: “We support these projects because they
work. Through a co-ordinated partnership we can tackle the root
causes of offending behaviour and improve all our lives.”

www.scotland.gov.uk