Briefing for Stage 2 of the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill – 19 January 2016

Shelter Scotland supports the broad aim of the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill to create a new model of community justice that will deliver better outcomes for offenders and reduce re-offending. We have highlighted in our Stage 1 written evidence and Stage 1 debate briefing that we believe the Bill could be significantly strengthened by including essential services such as housing. This would ensure that housing is an integrated and integral part of the National Strategy and the National Performance Framework.

Evidence from our Supporting Prisoners; Advice Network prison services and from the Scottish Government’s recent report ‘Housing and Re-offending: Supporting People who serve Short –Term Sentences to Secure and Sustain Stable Accommodation on Liberation’ show that support to sustain tenancies while in prison, and if this is not possible providing suitable housing on leaving prison, is absolutely crucial to reduce re-offending.