£850,000 for voluntary agencies tackling offending
25 Mar 08
Public money to help work supporting rehabilitation of offenders
The Scottish Government has announced more than £850,000 in funding to help national voluntary organisations deliver community-based criminal justice services.
Apex Scotland, SACRO, Families Outside and NCH will all share the money for the next financial year to provide employment-related guidance and training for offenders and ex-offenders and support children and families affected by imprisonment.
SACRO is one of the main voluntary sector providers of services to criminal justice social work in Scotland and will receive £380,005 in 2008-09.
Apex Scotland specialises in employment related guidance and training for offenders/ex-offenders. Its share of the government funding is £382,693.
NCH provides a range of programmes for young offenders and opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential through behaviour management, positive recreation and access to education, training and employability. The organisation has been awarded £53,052. Families Outside, which helps children and families affected by imprisonment of a family member, is to get £58,813.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "These organisations perform an essential role in helping to reintegrate offenders into the community.
"I am determined to break Scotland's cycle of criminality. We will make every effort to prevent crime - but where it does occur we must have the services in place to support and challenge offenders.
"The voluntary sector provides crucial guidance at important times in an offender's life - offering them a positive alternative and a path out of repeat offending. Not just good for the individual - but good for public safety and our economy."