News In Focus

Reoffending prevention groups receive first round of funding

19 October 2012

The Scottish Government has announced the first round of payouts from its Reducing Reoffending Change fund, established with a £7.5m budget earlier in the current Parliament. The first round will see £1.5m of new cash for 23 organisations designing or running schemes aimed at reducing reoffending around Scotland, with grants ranging from £6,656 to £200,000.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “While reconviction rates in Scotland are now at their lowest level in the past 13 years, reoffending rates upon release remain unacceptably high, and the effects on family members can be devastating. Too often we see repeat offenders in and out of prison time and time again.

“It’s a vicious circle which does nothing to improve our communities. But we know that mentoring can and does play a role in helping offenders to change their ways.”

Applications for funding were considered by a decision-making group comprising representatives from the Scottish Government’s Community Justice Division, Third Sector Unit and Justice Analytical Services; the Scottish Prison Service; the Association of Directors of Social Work and The Robertson Trust.