Rehabilitation spending fails, says watchdog
21 Jan 05
Audit Scotland says no evidence that £30 million spend prevents reoffending
There is no evidence that the £30 million spent annually on the rehabilitation of criminals stops them reoffending, according to Scotland's spending watchdog.
An Audit Scotland report criticises the Scottish Prison Service for lacking a proper strategy to deal with offenders. Recent figures indicate that around half of all prisoners released are sentenced to custody again within two years.
The report acknowledges that more educational, vocation training and behaviour management programmes are now being provided, but states that more information is needed about their effectiveness and value.
Deputy Auditor General Caroline Gardner said that monitoring results is essential for evaluating how well public money is being spent.
A Scottish Executive spokesman said that the current criminal justice plan provides a framework for more effective monitoring and evaluation of work with offenders.
The report also raises concerns over the efforts to tackle illegal drug use in prison.