McArthur: Government must back Scottish Liberal Democrat plans to strengthen community justice

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has today called on the Scottish Government to back Scottish Liberal Democrat plans to boost community justice following new figures which revealed that the number of custody and community based throughcare cases is the second lowest it has been in the last ten years.  

In 2021-22, there were 1,700 statutory custody and community -based throughcare cases commenced. This was higher than in 2020-21, but it is still the second lowest in the last ten years. The number of commencements for statutory throughcare cases in the community was 850 in 2021-22, which was the lowest in the last decade.  

Liam McArthur MSP said:  

“These figures are shockingly low. Throughcare provides transition support for those have been incarcerated, allowing them to resettle into the community and helping to lower reoffending rates.  

“Scotland’s prisons are bursting; packing more and more people into prisons puts pressure on staff and makes it more challenging to work with each individual inmate. The prison death toll is far too high and many fatal accident inquiries still remain outstanding. That’s just another compelling reason why we need a resilient throughcare system that can offer robust community-based alternatives.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrat have put forward plans for a stronger system of community justice. Our measures would punish where appropriate but rehabilitate and support in the interests of reducing reoffending and making our communities safer. destroying what little stability someone might have. That is in the interest of both individuals and communities and the Scottish Government should embrace this approach.”