Offender charities receive Scottish Government funding of nearly £3m

Organisations working to help offenders and their families will share almost £3 million of Scottish Government funding.

Seven charities will use the cash to fund specialist services including employment training, early intervention, support for families of prisoners and social care support.

The organisations include Apex Scotland, one of the main voluntary sector providers of services to criminal justice social work in Scotland, specialising in employment and training advice for offenders, and Families Outside, which helps support the families of those in prison.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson (pictured) said: “The specialist services these charities provide is a vital part of our vision of reducing reoffending rates further by addressing the underlying causes of offending.

“I want to see fewer ineffective short-term prison sentences used, and more community sentences, which also help people to turn their lives around, keep crime down and communities safe.

“From early intervention to supporting reintegration back into the community, these charities are dedicated to working with people who have offended at all possible opportunities and supporting them to become contributing members of the community.”

The other organisations receiving the cash are SACRO, Positive Prison? Positive Futures, Turning Point Scotland, Venture Trust and Supporting Offenders with Learning Disabilities (Sold).

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