THE number of offenders sent to prison in Scotland has reached a record high, according to new figures.
There were just under 18,200 cases in 2006-7 where the courts imposed a custodial sentence, an increase of 9 per cent on the previous year.
The vast majority of those were repeat offenders and 81 per cent were jailed for less than six months – fre
sh evidence, according to critics, that Scotland's justice system is failing.
The figures reveal that, for the first time in three years, the number of people sent to prison exceeded those given community sentences.
Last night, it was claimed the figures further undermined confidence in community sentencing, which the public was now "losing faith in".
Ian Simpson, a retired sheriff, said the figures highlighted a failure to tackle the huge amount of crime committed by a relatively small group of hardened repeat offenders.
He said: "Community sentences are supposed to lead people to turn over a new leaf, but they are not stopping people in their criminal careers.
"When (offenders] come back before a sheriff on the fourth or fifth time, they lose patience and send them to prison."
Mr Simpson said people were "losing faith" with community sentences, which are "under- resourced".
Margaret Smith, the Lib Dems' justice spokeswoman, said the figures were "a stark illustration of the urgent need for a radical overhaul of sentencing policy in Scotland".
She pointed out that the figures showed 90 per cent of offenders appearing in front of the courts had previously been convicted of another offence.
Mrs Smith added: "One way of cutting the reoffending rate would be to replace very short prison sentences with tougher community sentences. We must also see action to tackle the wider issues associated with criminals who offend again and again.
"Better access to education, training and employment and a commitment to assisting offenders to tackle problems such as drug addiction would reduce the reoffending rate."
The Scottish Government has established a commission to look at the use and purpose of prison. It is due to report back at the end of the month.
Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, acknowledged there was "still much work to be done" in improving the effectiveness of community penalties.
But he added: "Our action plan on community penalties is being taken forward as a matter of urgency and will allow courts to use them with confidence in a wider range of cases."
Bill Aitken, the Tories' justice spokesman said: "These figures show the extent of criminality in Scotland, but all we get from our justice secretary is a call to jail fewer people. He says prisons are full so must be emptied. How is that a proper solution?
"If prisons lack resources to provide rehabilitation, they should be given them. Letting criminals wander our streets is not the answer."
The full article contains 485 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
