Half of prisoners return to jail
Number reoffending within two years "unacceptably high", says Justice Minister
Half of Scottish prisoners are back in jail within two years of their release, the Scottish Executive has confirmed.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson will tell the Tackling Re-Offending conference in Edinburgh today that urgent action must be taken to reduce Scotland's high rates of reoffending.
She will call for improved education and rehabilitation programmes in prisons to give prisoners a better chance when they return to the community; and for better co-ordination between prison staff, local authorities and voluntary organisations to increase access to housing, skills training and jobs.
Scotland has one of the highest levels of reoffending in Europe, at 60% within two years of release. The figures now released show for the first time how many offenders are given further custodial sentences.
The Executive's Management of Offenders etc (Scotland) Bill is currently before the Scottish Parliament.
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