Reoffending rate falls to 21 year low

The reconviction rate for offenders in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level in the 21 years of keeping comparable records, the latest official figures show.

Statistics for the 2017-18 offender cohort show the percentage of offenders who were reconvicted within a year was 26.3%, a one percentage point decrease from 27.3% in 2016-17.

The average number of reconvictions – a measure of how often offenders are reconvicted – was down by 4% over the same period, from 0.48 to 0.46.

Over the decade between 2008-09 and 2017-18, the reconviction rate decreased by 5.2 percentage points from 31.5% to 26.3%, while the average number of reconvictions per offender decreased by 23% from 0.60 to 0.46.

Offenders who committed a crime of dishonesty had the highest reconviction rate, at 42.6%, while those who committed a sexual crime had the lowest, at 11.5%. Males were again reconvicted more often, 12% on average, than females, though both showed a reduction on the previous year.

The figures also show that offenders given a short custodial sentence of one year or less are reconvicted nearly twice as often as those given a community payback order.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf commented: "I welcome these statistics that show our evidence-based approach to rehabilitation, both in communities and custody, is working with reconviction levels at a 21-year low.

"We know that community sentences are more effective than short custodial sentences and these figures are testament to that – and underline why we were correct to extend the statutory presumption against short prison sentences."

Karyn McCluskey, Community Justice Scotland chief executive, added: "Community justice allows people who commit a crime to pay back to the community they harmed whilst addressing any underlying causes of crime such as addiction, homelessness and mental health issues.

"These figures demonstrate clearly the link between sentences served in the community and the prevention of reoffending. This shows that community justice can, and does, change the pattern of people offending and can make Scotland safer.

"Whilst I welcome the progression indicated by these latest statistics, we cannot be complacent. We must follow the evidence of what works and invest in recovery, addiction services and address trauma which will have greater impact on reducing offending and cost less than utilising short-term incarceration."