In order to tackle reoffending, Tayside Community Justice Authority (TCJA) and its Partner Organisations are working hard to deliver 7 Key Priorities (see below). We believe that delivery of these priorities will reduce reoffending in Tayside, making it safer for its inhabitants and visitors.

 

Each priority has a dedicated page providing more detail on how it is being delivered and progress in its delivery.

 

 

1.  Providing effective throughcare services to short-term prisoners (more...) 

Short-term prisoners commit a large proportion of reoffending. Unlike prisoners serving longer sentences, they do not automatically receive support in the community upon their release, to address the underlying causes of their offending.

We are working to ensure they receive this support.

 

 

2.  Delivering better outcomes for female offenders (more...) 

The female prison population in Scotland has doubled in the past 10 years. Many women in the criminal justice system are frequent reoffenders with complex needs that relate to their social circumstances, previous histories of abuse and mental health and addiction problems.

We are working to ensure their needs are met.

 

 

3.  Reducing the harm caused to communities by persistent offenders (more...) 

A relatively small group of prolific, persistent offenders commit a disproportionately large amount of crime in Tayside. They require intensive support to address their issues, which is not routinely provided.

We are working to ensure it is provided as a mainstream service.

 

 

4.  Delivering effective community based disposals (more...) 

The Scottish Government has implemented Community Payback Orders to replace Community Service, Probation and Supervised Attendance Orders.

We aim to ensure that these are as effective as possible for reducing reoffending.

 

 

5.  Managing 'high risk of harm (HROH)' offenders (more...) 

Sex offenders and violent offenders pose a serious risk to communities and this risk must be managed appropriately, using the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA).  In support of this, the Scottish Government has set a priority for CJAs and their Partners to support the roll out and implementation of the new ‘Moving Forward: Making Changes’ (MFMC) sex offender treatment programme. 

We are working to ensure that this programme is implemented.

 

 

6.  Ensuring efficient and effective use of resources (more...) 

As a partnership of publicly accountable organisations it is incumbent that publicly-funded resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible.

We are working to ensure that this is the case in Tayside.

 

 

7.  Ensuring a smooth transition to the new community justice structure (more...) 

While specifically relevant to Tayside this priority is also a national joint-CJA priority.

The Scottish Government is in the process of redesigning the Community Justice System and have requested that CJAs feed their extensive knowledge into the process.

We are working with local and national partners to ensure that the transition to the new structure is a smooth one.