64% Of Prisoners Reoffend Within Two Years

Almost two-thirds of prisoners released from jail are reconvicted within two years, according to official figures released yesterday.

The figures were branded as “appalling” by opposition politicians and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill admitted they were unacceptable.

The data came some four years after Cathy Jamieson, the previous justice minister, pledged to reduce Scotland’s recidivism rate by 2%. However, since then, the rate has actually risen from 61% to 64%.

Comparative figures show that, in England and Wales, 56% reoffend within the same timescale and in countries such as Germany the figure is just 36%.

The high rate of reconvictions contributes to Scotland’s burgeoning prison population, which reached an all-time high earlier this year.

The proportion of those sentenced to community service who are reconvicted within two years is far lower, at 39%. Despite this, almost all of the resources are still directed at the prison service.

The figures show that 45% of all offenders discharged from custody or given a non-custodial sentence in Scotland in 2003-04 were reconvicted within two years. The likelihood of reconviction increased markedly with offender’s number of previous convictions.

Just over a quarter of offenders with no previous convictions were reconvicted within two years, compared with three-quarters of offenders with over 10 previous convictions.

Men were more likely to be reconvicted than women across all age groups, with 46% of men and 38% of women reconvicted within two years.

The younger the men when first imprisoned, the more likely they were to be reconvicted. Of those aged under 16 when imprisoned, some 72% were reconvicted within two years.

The level of those reconvicted following community service has fallen 10% in a decade, but even there the re-offending level remains too high, according to Mr MacAskill. This compares with 39% given community service or a 41% given a fine.

Bill Aitken, the Tory justice spokesman, said: “These figures are appalling and the previous administration should be ashamed. This is further evidence that we are not rehabilitating criminals successfully, and failing to get more of them off the conveyor belt of crime.”

LibDem justice spokeswoman Margaret Smith said : “Liberal Democrats want to see very short-term prison sentences replaced, where appropriate, with tougher community sentences that make offenders work to repay their crimes and have a proven track record in cutting reoffending.

“I am heartened to hear that the Justice Secretary is reviewing current sentencing policy, but would urge the Scottish Government not to drag its heels on this subject. We need action, not just warm words from the minister.”

Pauline McNeill, Labour’s justice spokeswoman, said: “These figures are disappointing and highlight the challenges Scotland face in relation to penal policy.

“However, the SNP’s simplistic penal plans fail to address these figures and the real issues.”

Mr MacAskill said jail was needed for serious and dangerous criminals. But he added: “We believe less serious offenders currently filling our jails should be paying back their debts to society – not adding to society’s bill for their bed and board.”