Data relating to sentences and convictions: FOI release

Information requested

• The percentage of people sentenced to non-custodial sentences vs custodial sentences for the past five years of available data.
• The reoffending rates for sexual offences plus the reoffending offence type with the highest reoffending rates as a comparison point.
• Percentage of sexual offences compared to all other offences for the last complete year that data is available.
• The gender split in terms of convictions as a whole for the last year that data is available.
• The top 10 offence types that women are mostly convicted of in the latest year that data is available.

Response

• The percentage of people sentenced to non-custodial sentences vs custodial sentences for the past five years of available data.

	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Custodial sentences	16%	15%	17%	14%	13%
Non-custodial sentences	84%	85%	83%	86%	87%

Data from table 7(b) of Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2022-23

• The reoffending rates for sexual offences plus the reoffending offence type with the highest reoffending rates as a comparison point.

We hold data for reconvictions, which is the number of people who were released from a custodial sentence or given a noncustodial sentence and then were subsequently reconvicted within a year. Reconviction is only a proxy for reoffending, as not all offending comes to the attention of the police and not all offences committed or recorded by the police will result in a conviction.

Reconviction rates within a year for people whose index crime was a sexual offence is 8.8% for reconviction of any crime and 1.7% for reconviction of sexual offences. Crimes of dishonesty had the highest reconviction rate at 40.7%. (Data is from Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2020-21 Offender Cohort) 

• Percentage of sexual offences compared to all other offences for the last complete year that data is available.

% of court proceedings	2022-23
Sexual crimes	2%
All other crimes and offences	98%

Data from table 4(a) of Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2022-23

% of convictions	2022-23
Sexual crimes	2%
All other crimes and offences	98%

Data from table 4(b) of Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2022-23

• The gender split in terms of convictions as a whole for the last year that data is available.

Number of people convicted	2022-23
All People	68,067
Males	56,375
Females	11,692

Data from table 5(a) of Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2022-23

• The top 10 offence types that women are mostly convicted of in the latest year that data is available.

In 2022-23, the 10 most common convictions of women were for:

Common assault

Threatening and abusive behaviour

Crimes against public justice

Unlawful use of vehicle

Speeding

Shoplifting

Driving under the influence

Dangerous and careless driving

Other road traffic offences

Drugs - Possession

Data from table 6(c) of Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2022-23

About FOI

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