Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2023/24: Main findings
Main findings from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2023/24.
Public perceptions of prisons and community sentences
How did the public view the prison system?
The SCJS explores attitudes towards prisons and community sentences, assessing public perceptions of sentencing and rehabilitation.
In 2023/24, the majority of adults agreed that:
- only serious offenders should go to prison (55%)
- homeless prisoners should be helped to find a place to live after they leave prison (91%)
- prisons should help prisoners change their behaviour rather than punish them (92%), provide support in order to prevent people committing more crime (93%) and work with other organisations to help prisoners fit back into the community (92%)
All of these measures remain unchanged since 2021/22 while two have increased slightly since 2017/18 (prisons should work with organisations to help prisoners fit back into the community and help homeless people find a place to live after leaving prison).
Table 10.1: The vast majority of adults agreed that prisons should help or support prisoners to change their behaviour, reduce re-offending, fit back into the community and find a place to live if they are homeless.
Attitudes towards the role of prisons.
| Proportion of adults | Strongly/slightly agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Strongly/slightly disagree | Don't know/refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Only those who have committed the most serious crimes should be put in prison |
55% |
12% |
32% |
2% |
|
Prisons should help prisoners change their behaviour rather than just punish them |
92% |
4% |
4% |
1% |
|
Prisons should provide support in order to prevent people committing more crime |
93% |
3% |
3% |
1% |
|
Prisons should work with other organisations in the community to help prisoners fit back into the community |
92% |
4% |
3% |
1% |
|
Homeless prisoners should be helped to find a place to live after they leave prison |
91% |
5% |
3% |
1% |
Variables: QPRIS3_01 – QPRIS3_05.
How did the public view community sentences?
The current questions on whether respondents agreed or disagreed with a series of statements relating to the purpose and operation of community sentences were developed in 2017/18. In 2023/24, most adults supported community sentences, specifically:
- 90% believed offenders should receive support (e.g., addiction, mental health, literacy) to prevent reoffending.
- 83% saw community service as a better response to minor crimes than short prison sentences.
- 71% felt those who fail to comply with sentences would be held accountable.
- 23% believed community sentences pose a risk to the public.
Only 9% of adults were aware of unpaid work placements in their area, but 67% of those who were aware felt their community benefited. This is similar to previous years.
Contact
Email: scjs@gov.scot