Plans for Scottish single correctional agency shelved

The proposal to create a single agency to manage custodial and
non-custodial sentences in Scotland looks to have been shelved,
following widespread opposition by professional bodies,
writes Paul Stephenson.

Following a consultation exercise by the Scottish executive on
reducing re-offending in Scotland, the executive say its aim now is
to have an “integrated service for offender
management”.

The proposal on merging the Scottish Prison Service with
criminal justice social work was opposed by nearly 95 per cent of
respondents. It now seems that justice minister Cathy Jamieson has
decided not to push through the proposal, and that the prison
service and social services departments will continue to work
together on administering justice.

A Scottish executive spokesperson said ministers were no longer
talking about a single agency and were instead concentrating on an
integrated service working to reduce re-offending. He said:
“Forget about the labels. It is the prize that is
important.”