National strategy for community justice: delivery plan update 3 – December 2024

Previously completed deliverables

The deliverables below have been marked as complete in a previous update to the delivery plan and are included below for reference.

No 1

Deliverable: Establish a working group or other appropriate structure to consider the ‘Joint review of diversion from prosecution’ report and the implementation of recommendations as appropriate.

This will take into account ongoing improvement work on diversion from prosecution.

Timescale: October 2023

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: A Diversion from Prosecution Working Group comprising of diversion partner agencies has been established.

No 10

Deliverable: Identify further areas for action, in line with proposals in the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill, to strengthen alternatives to remand across Scotland and build adequate capacity and resilience locally.

Timescale: April 2024

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 2

Additional information: The Strengthening Alternatives to Remand project group has identified priority actions to drive improvements in alternatives to remand, to be progressed under deliverable 43.

No 11

Deliverable: Engage with justice partners to explore the viability of new technologies and policy uses, including location monitoring.

Timescale: April 2024

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 2

Additional information: Pilot success criteria have been developed, draft regulations drafted, contractual requirements drafted, and kit levels modelled. Implementation of this work will be taken forward under deliverable 44.

No 13

Deliverable: Revise and publish updated guidance on justice social work reports and court-based justice social work services.

Timescale: August 2023

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: The revised Justice social work guidance was published on 5 October 2023.

No 14

Deliverable: Publish a research report on the use of Drug Testing and Treatment Orders (DTTOs) and Community Payback Orders (CPOs) for people with substance use problems, as part of the Cross-Government Action Plan in response to the Drug Deaths Taskforce’s report and recommendations.

Timescale: August 2023

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: The 'Community sentencing options for people with substance use problems' report was published on 31 August 2023.

No 15

Deliverable: Complete an evidence review of the current justice social work landscape.

Timescale: March 2024

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 2

Additional information: The Justice social work research report has been published.

No 18

Deliverable: Pilot and initiate evaluation of the Moving Forward 2 Change (MF2C) programme for sexual offending.

Timescale: August 2023

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: Pilots and evaluation completed.

No 23

Deliverable: Amend GP contract regulations to allow the pre-registration of prisoners in advance of liberation.

Timescale: November 2023

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: Changes to regulations took formal effect on 29 November 2023.

No 25

Deliverable: Explore options for a potential pilot project to enhance the consistency and co-ordination of housing services for individuals leaving prison, in line with the SHORE standards, prior to their release from custody.

Timescale: August 2023 Revised in update 1 to September 2024

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 2

Additional information: The pilot was taken forward by Fife Council and will feed into the implementation of the SHORE standards.

No 30

Deliverable: Skills Development Scotland and SPS to develop and implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Timescale: April 2024

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: MoU between SPS and SDS was signed off by both senior management teams and will continue to be reviewed to ensure it reflects the evolving needs of the population.

No 35

Deliverable: Work with stakeholders to identify steps that could be taken to increase resilience in the local model of coordination and delivery of community justice.

Timescale: April 2024

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 2

Additional information: The Community Justice Peer Network, comprising of local community justice co-ordinators, has formed a working group (also attended by representatives from COSLA, CJS and Scottish Government) to tackle issues commonly faced across local authorities and help ensure cross organisational visibility, input and coordination.

No 37

Deliverable: Establish a group or other appropriate structure to discuss community justice data development and provide updates to it on work to improve the publishable evidence base on community justice.

Timescale: December 2023

Opened: Original delivery plan

Closed: Update 1

Additional information: A Data Review Group has been established and meets quarterly throughout the year. The group researches data sources that may support and evidence the priority actions of the Community Justice Strategy.