Urgent talks are being sought with the Scottish Government to try and save the valued Right Track young offenders programme as funding runs dry this month.
The structured deferred sentence scheme is valued as a means of turning 16 to 21-year-olds away from a potential life of crime.
However, a meeting of the Tayside Criminal Justice Authority in Perth heard funding ends soon and central grants are expected to be channelled into the SNP government’s new Community Payback Orders (CPOs).
Members were critical that a scheme with a record of success under-21 remand fell by 30% between the first and last six months of Right Track should be ditched in favour of untested CPOs.
The move to end the programme, which deals with the roots of offending behaviour, was called a “disaster” by one sheriff this year and his comments were echoed.
Perth and Kinross Council head of community care John Gilruth said, “The issue isn’t simply about more money to continue the programme but the budget flexibility to allow us to do it.
“As long as the budget attaches to community payback or community service orders, if it goes to Right Track we’ll see a reduction in that budget so it becomes a ‘disincentive’ to take it on.
“Individual local authorities are looking at how to hang onto the best experiences from Right Track but the long-term viability of the project hinges on future funding being provided or greater budget flexibility.
“That would enable local authorities, in discussion with sheriffs, to look at what the options are and see whether it’s possible to manage that service within the budget.”
CPOs, designed to keep offenders out of prison by sentencing them instead to measures such as unpaid work or rehabilitation programmes are proving difficult to administer in Angus especially.Council problemsAlthough only 12 were issued in the first three months of their existence, Angus Council has stated there will be “serious difficulties” in servicing the new orders.
Money has been promised by the government to pay for equipment and materials but it has not yet been delivered.
The Tayside Community Justice Authority chief officer confirmed to the committee he has been in touch with the official concerned and talks are planned.
Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson backed the retention of Right Track. She said, “We are in austere times and it has never been more important to prioritise things that actually work.
“I’m amazed this is shown to achieve significant results in a priority area for us but we are struggling to get funding for it.”
A government spokesman said, “The Scottish Government did not provide direct funding for Right Track.
“Over the past three years, we offered discretionary funding to community justice authorities (CJAs) to allow them to support local initiatives of their choosing. This was over and above the record levels of overall funding supplied to CJAs.
“It was always clear that this discretionary funding would last until the end of 2010/11, but we extended it by an additional three months to help those authorities that had yet to decide on their budget priorities for the coming year.
“Ultimately, the decision on whether the Right Track initiative will continue in Tayside will be a matter for the local CJA, but we understand they are actively looking at how they structure their service in order to achieve the same outcomes delivered by Right Track.”