News about criminal justice in Scotland

This is where you can find news taken from the media and other on-line sources about crime and justice issues in Scotland and, where relevant, the rest of the UK and Europe, together with press releases, original sources and other useful links. We try to update daily. If you can't immediately find what you are looking for try the site search or go to 'Archives' on menu bar. Links to other sites are for provided for your information and do not imply an endorsement of their content. Also, although CjScotland attempts to be as comprehensive as possible in its coverage we do not represent that all the information you might need can be obtained from this site. This is a person, not a computer, compiled blog.

Please note: some media, press release and broadcast links are short-lived. You can use the headlines for archive searches but may have to pay to access the original piece.

A simplified version of this page for PDA, Mobile and Low Bandwidth access is available here. |

Latest Justice News From the Scottish Government

Courts sending clear message on knife possession
Statistics show increase in length of sentences.

Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts, 2008-09
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Police officer statistics
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

CjScotland News Log

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Strathclyde Police report on results of domestic abuse campaign: violence reductions noted

“Old Firm domestic abuse figures drop” STV
“Drop in domestic abuse incidents on Old Firm match days” BBC

Press release

“More Than 2,000 Offenders Arrested During Domestic Abuse Campaign” Strathclyde Police (March 2010)

Also

CjScotland 11.1.10: Football, alcohol, violence and domestic abuse
CjScotland 23.11.09: Strathclyde Police domestic abuse task force

Posted by MM on Wed 10th Mar 2010 at 10:40 am
Crime Prevention Gender and crime Domestic abuse Police Campaigns • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts statistics 2008–09 published

“Jail terms for those who commit knife crimes rises 21%” BBC
“SNP’s prison plans would have let more than 12,000 criminals avoid jail last year – including knife attackers and attempted murderers” Daily Record
“Opposition pour scorn on latest crime statistics” Herald
“Mike Nellis: Fines and community payback may prove more effective sanctions” Scotsman
“Fifty offenders jailed every day by Scottish courts” Scotsman
“Scots sentences get longer as more people are sent to jail” STV
“Kenny’s knife yob jail boast doesn’t cut it” Scottish Sun
“One in five crimes committed on bail” Telegraph

Press release

“Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts, 2008–09” Scot.Gov.
“Courts sending clear message on knife possession” Scot.Gov.

Posted by MM on Wed 10th Mar 2010 at 10:08 am
Courts Crime data • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Council of Europe critical of UK prisoner vote implementation delays: latest

Update

“Prisoners must be allowed to vote, Council of Europe warns Britain” Guardian

Following posted on 16.2.10

“Prisoners’ votes aren’t a trivial cause” Guardian
“Give prisoners the right to vote, and everybody benefits” Independent

Following posted on 8.2.10

“Prisoners ‘could sue’ if denied vote in general election” Guardian

Following posted on 9.12.09

“Ban on prisoner votes at next election could breach human rights” Guardian

Following posted on 8.4.09

“Government launches second consultation on prisoner voting” Law Society Journal Online
“Prisoners’ votes have to count too” Guardian

Following posted on 10.11.08

“Ban on votes for prisoners is illegal, says EU” Guardian

Press release

“United Kingdom: the Committee of Ministers asks for rapid adoption of the necessary measures to execute the case of Hirst (No. 2)” Council of Europe (December 2009)
“Prisoner voting: second stage consultation” Ministry of Justice 8.4.09.
“Parliamentary committee criticises Government’s ‘unacceptable delay’ in removing breaches of human rights standards by the UK” Joint Committee on Human Rights 31.10.08

Also

CjScotland. Angus Gillies. Prisoners and the Vote: the case of Smith v Electoral Registration Officer.

Research tip: for other relevant posts try entering ‘vote’ in the search box or go to the Europe and Justice category in the Archives.

Posted by MM on Wed 10th Mar 2010 at 7:40 am
Europe and justice Human Rights Prisons and prisoners • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Parliamentary Report for the 1st to the 5th March 2010 now online

The Justice Committee began its Stage 2 consideration of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill this week, and passed a raft of amendments on the sentencing aspects of the Bill which significantly changed the content and nature of this piece of legislation. In the chamber there were a number of justice related questions to the First Minister. More . . .

Posted by MM on Tue 9th Mar 2010 at 9:55 am
• Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Asset recovery and organised crime: police rebrand confiscated Audi

“Mission to seize assets ‘a laughing stock to crime world Mr Bigs’” Scotsman
“Police to use seized top–of-–the range vehicle as police car” STV
“Crime gang’s Audi 4x4 now police patrol car” BBC

Posted by MM on Tue 9th Mar 2010 at 9:40 am
Police Sentencing Asset recovery • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Acknowledgement and Accountability Forum for the survivors of historic abuse: latest

Update

“Anger at abuse panel” Herald

Following posted on 3.03.10

“Call for truth hearing abusers to face prosecution” Times

Following posted on 8.06.09

“Challenge on legal time bar for child abuse” Herald
“‘Every abuse victim needs a say’” Scotsman
“Homes abuse victims back plan for ‘truth and reconciliation’” Scotsman
“Abuse survivors give backing to accountability forum” Law Society Journal Online

Following posted on 11.03.09

“Time-bar ruling offers hope for abuse victims” Herald
“Judge allows proof in historic abuse case” Law Society Journal Online

Following posted on 19.02.08

“Thousands of abuse victims to get justice as case deadline lifted” The Scotsman
“Ruling lifts time bar on abuse case” Law Society Journal Online

http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/2009CSOH34.html
http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/2008CSOH27.html

Scottish Government October 2008. Developing an Acknowledgement and Accountability Forum for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse. A Discussion Paper.

Consultation on the proposal to develop a Acknowledgement and Accountability approach for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse – Consultation Responses (April 2009)

http://www.survivorscotland.org.uk/

Also

CjScotland 8.2.08. Truth and Reconciliation Forum as response to institutional child abuse

Posted by KM on Tue 9th Mar 2010 at 7:37 am
Victims and witnesses • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

New Kilbrandon Now report launched: extension of hearings to over 15s proposed

Update

“It’s not about bleeding–heart values. It’s about common sense” Herald. Article by Maggie Mellon.

Following posted on 3.3.10

“‘Keep teens out of adult courts’” Herald
“Youth justice system needs new thinking” Herald
“Keep young offenders out of adult courts, says panel” Times
“Courts should not deal with troublesome teens” STV

Press release

“Call to keep young people out of adult courts” Action for Children

See also

Where’s Kilbrandon Now (2010)

Also

CjScotland 10.11.03: Kilbrandon Now: report of the NCH inquiry into the future of the children’s hearing system

Posted by MM on Tue 9th Mar 2010 at 8:19 am
Children and justice Children's hearings Courts Young People • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Online stalking amendment to Criminal Justice Bill: latest

Update

“Revealed: 700 Scots victims of stalking” Herald
“Law on stalking is necessary and timely” Herald
“Living in fear: hidden crime that is taking a terrifying grip on society” Herald
“700 Scots are victims of stalking, new survey finds” Daily Record
“MSPs told to be tough on stalkers” Evening Times

Following posted on 3.3.10

“Stalking crime campaign takes a step forward” STV

Following posted on 2.3.10

“Loophole that could see Scots stalkers go free” Express

Following posted on 22.2.10

“New law being brought in to crack down on stalkers and cyber–bullies” Herald
“Scots offence of stalking to be introduced” Herald
“Internet stalkers to face new offence” Scotsman
“Stalkers warned as new powers planned” STV
“Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill targets stalker menace” Daily Record
“New law to tackle online stalkers” BBC

Following posted on 29.1.10

“Stalkers are criminals – not ‘incompetent suitors’” Guardian

Following posted on 26.1.10

“Stalking to be made a crime in Scotland” Times

Press release

“Move to strengthen law on stalking” Scot.Gov. (February 2010)

See also

HCJAC 80 “]Harris v HMA [2009] HCJAC 80 . On the public element of breach of the peace.
Action Scotland Against Stalking

Posted by MM on Tue 9th Mar 2010 at 7:40 am
Legislation Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Monday, March 08, 2010

Ex–military offenders and alternatives to imprisonment

“Combat veteran criminals must be kept out of prison, says MSP” Herald

Posted by MM on Mon 8th Mar 2010 at 6:46 pm
Sentencing Prison sentences • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Marked drop in s.44 Terrorism Act 2000 searches by British Transport Police in Scotland

“Transport police cut random searches that ‘fuel race hate’” Times

Research tip: for other relevant posts try entering ‘terrorism’ in the search box.

Posted by MM on Mon 8th Mar 2010 at 6:15 pm
Hate crimes Police • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Community service orders (CSOs) and snow clearing

Update

“2,000 offenders tackle Big Freeze” Scotsman

Following posted on 8.1.10

“MacAskill to meet ice–clearing criminals ” BBC
“Community service snow workers to meet Justice Secretary” STV
“Fife community service snow–clearers praised” Courier
“Few offenders doing spadework” Courier
“Offenders put to work clearing snow meet Minister” Herald
“Offenders set to work clearing pavements and pathways” Press and Journal
“MacAskill sees justice being done in Dunfermline” Press and Journal
“…But government still not in the clear” Press and Journal
“‘Send more cons to clear streets’” Express

Following posted on 7.1.10

“Criminals help to clear up the streets” Press and Journal
“Convicts ordered to clear snow and ice from Scotland’s roads instead of being jailed” Daily Record
“Criminals ‘should be made to clear snow’” Evening News
“Put criminals to work clearing icy pavements, say Tories” Telegraph
“Everyone must help shovel for Scotland, says Salmond” Times

Press release

“Offenders help out during icy weather” Scot.Gov.

Paul Morron comments:

*Just to say this isn’t alogether new. I recall in the early years of CSO in Scotland, snow clearance was quite a routine task that we got some of our offenders to do each winter though often more focussed in nature digging paths for vulnerable individuals (eg: elderly or disabled) to get out.”

Posted by MM on Mon 8th Mar 2010 at 9:01 am
Non-custodial justice projects Sentencing Community sentences • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Guidelines for drug treatment for sexual offenders on release

Update

“Sex offenders to go free with ‘castration drug’” Times

Following posted on 6.10.08

“Drug cosh for sex offenders” Times
“Expert looks into chemical castration of paedophiles” Press and Journal

Following posted on 10.7.07

“‘Chemical castration’ on NHS for sex predators” Scotsman

Posted by MM on Mon 8th Mar 2010 at 7:27 am
Criminal Justice Social Work Gender and crime Mentally disordered offenders Sentencing • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Medical anti violence initiative in Glasgow: Medics Against Violence

Update

“Get set for a short, sharp shock” Times

Following posted on 19.11.08

“Film to show effects of stabbing in bid to curb street violence” Herald (video)
“Medics launch campaign against violence” STV (video)
“Doctors launch drive against knife crime” Scotsman
“Shocking knife crime pictures to be used in anti–violence campaign” Daily Record
“Medics launch campaign to crackdown on violent crime” Evening Times

Press release

“Doctors to tackle violence” University of Glasgow

See also

http://www.medicsagainstviolence.co.uk/

Posted by MM on Mon 8th Mar 2010 at 8:02 am
Crime Prevention Community initiatives • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Page 1 of 524 pages 1 2 3 > Last »