Criminal justice social work - sentences, orders and supervision

Following a conviction, the Court may issue one of a number of sentences or orders which may also require supervision of the offender by a member of the Criminal Justice Social Work team. 

Community Reparation Orders are a sentence option to force offenders to make amends for antisocial behaviour by doing unpaid community work.  Community Service Orders was a term used for Community Payback Orders, otherwise referred to as Unpaid work, and was used prior to 1st Februrary 2011 and could be required as a condition of a probation order, involving the supervision and support of offenders within the Community.

The Diversion from Prosecution scheme can be used if it is not in the public interest for the Procurator Fiscal to prosecute a case through court.  The Procurator Fiscal can defer making a decision to prosecute by referring the case to Criminal Justice Social Work for further assessment and, where appropriate, intervention. 

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders can be offered as an alternative to a custodial sentence to adult offenders who have been identified as having a serious drug misuse problem and who may respond to treatment.

A Probation Order will place an offender under the supervision of a social worker for a period of time.  Probation Orders will be tailored to the offender to reduce the risk of future re-offending.

If an offender has failed to pay a fine, the Court may impose a Mandatory Supervised Attendance Order. 

Further information…