Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is working with the police-led Violence Reduction Unit to tackle weapons carrying across Scotland. Reducing violence is a priority for Grampian police, and they undertake a range of activities to tackle its causes and consequences. They are actively involved in the ongoing ACPOS anti-violence campaign organised by the Violence Reduction Unit and have recently been deploying their Scottish Government funded Ferroguard metal detector as part of Operation Oak, which promotes safety in Aberdeen city centre. They also work in partnership with schools to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

The number of people with a charge proved for handling an offensive weapon in the Grampian force area was 187 in 2008-09. The conviction rate reflects the pro-active, intelligence-led policing by Grampian police to address weapons carrying.

The Scottish Government and partner agencies are working together to ensure more projects undertaken by low level offenders on community service is meaningful and relevant to local communities. To support this we have allocated an additional £9.5 million over the current and next financial years, specifically to allow improvement in the delivery of community service in preparation for the introduction of Community Payback Orders.

To allow progress to be measured in relation to the immediacy and speed with which offenders commence and complete their orders, we are currently conducting an audit of activity across Scotland. We will use the findings of the audit to inform our work with partner agencies to strengthen delivery of Community Payback Orders.

Community Service teams across Scotland are increasingly introducing projects for low level offenders to carry out unpaid work to repay their dues that are more meaningful and relevant to local communities. A recent example of this is the excellent work undertaken by offenders on community service across Scotland clearing snow from schools, hospitals and care homes for the elderly etc.

In addition to help ensure that the work done reflects local needs, the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill, currently going through stage 2, further strengthens the unpaid work element of the new Community Payback Order by introducing a formal requirement to consult communities on the type of work to be undertaken by offenders. Furthermore, the Scottish Government is working in collaboration with partner agencies in order to identify and share best practice across Scotland through initiatives such as the Scottish Community Service Awards which will be held on 24 May 2010 in Glasgow.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The SPS do not determine the type or category of drugs recovered. Substances recovered are sent to the police.

It is believed that the principal drug types recovered within Scottish Prisons are Heroin, Cocaine, Cannabis, and unlawfully held prescription medication.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The key element is to support individuals to effectively engaging in appropriate interventions, such as the new Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP).

For some prisoners the challenges of taking part in an offending behaviour programme raises fears and concerns. To address these issues it is intended to deliver a preparatory group for prisoners in need of this support prior to starting the full programme in order to maximise their responsivity to the intervention.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

Prisoners are able to undertake Scottish Qualifications Authority qualifications through the prison education units and the vocational training and work areas in prisons. Attendance at vocational training is regarded a prisoner work party and prisoners will be timetabled to attend. Attendance at the education unit is voluntary and prisoners are encouraged to attend.

Extensive promotional material is circulated around the prisons areas. If a prisoner signs up to attend the education unit this will be timetabled and programmed into their week.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The revised sex offender treatment programme is in the final stages of development. Plans are well underway for the new programme to be piloted in HMP Peterhead this coming financial year. Roll out to other establishments will be considered further once the piloting of the programme in HMP Peterhead is complete. Details of the new programme will be announced prior to the initial implementation in June 2010.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

As the original project was terminated prior to the receipt of bids, the estimated capital value and timescales associated with that project are not known.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

The SPS does not have this information.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

The SPS does not hold this information.