WELCOME TO

COMMUNITY JUSTICE GLASGOW ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MYTHS AND REALITIES

WELCOME

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY JUSTICE, THE MYTHS, THE FACTS AND THE SOLUTIONS

BY MARGARET SMITH, Policy, Planning & Development Officer, Community Justice Glasgow

Welcome to our digital Annual Report for 2022-23. To those of you tuning in for the first time and those of you re-joining to catch up on what has been happening across Community Justice in Glasgow – WELCOME.

As in previous editions (all still available and links provided at the foot of this page), we hope that the 2022-23 Annual Reporter will take you on a journey that will engage you, increase your awareness, knowledge and understanding of Community Justice and how this is embedded in Glasgow and, perhaps, help you (as a citizen of Glasgow) or a service or organisation, consider how you might get involved and become part of the eco-system that works to plan and improve outcomes for people who come into contact with the justice system as well as the victims and communities they impact.

Community Justice, rightly, is about holding people accountable for their actions. It is also about addressing the very things that bring people into contact with the justice system, understanding and acting on the evidence, supporting people to become more responsible and active contributors to their community. Through collaborative partnership and adopting a preventative approach, Community Justice aims to reduce reoffending, the number of people who become victims of crime and the harm caused to communities and society.

The National Strategy for Community Justice states that:

“Community Justice is principally about organisations working together to ensure that people who have offended address the underlying causes of their behaviour and pay back to the community where appropriate. It aims to encourage rehabilitation, reduce reoffending, and protect the public, leading to fewer victims and safer communities.”

The Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (The Act) focuses on preventing and reducing ‘further offending’ and partners working together to support people who have committed offences at every touch point of the justice system from arrest, through prosecution and disposal (both community and custody), and support reintegration into the community.

Our Community Justice Glasgow Partnership focuses on working together to improve outcomes for people who are in contact with the justice system in Glasgow, reducing subsequent reoffending which will reduce crime in our city, making it safer for everyone. We focus delivery on our vision, underpinned by our values and against areas of focus as agreed by our partners.

As the title of this article suggests, there will be a focus throughout the Annual Reporter for 2022-23 around dispelling some of the myths and misunderstanding that are often repeated in relation to Community Justice and custodial sentences, presenting the facts and showcasing some of the great work that goes on across Glasgow which plays a part in providing solutions to a very complex issue – LOOK OUT FOR LEARNING AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!