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Tory MSP warns of ‘soft touch’ from SNP over justice

Liam Kerr
Liam Kerr

Dundee or Fife will host one of Scotland’s first community-based custody units for women, the Scottish Government has said.

The announcement comes as the Tories warned against a “soft-touch” approach following the publication of the SNP administration’s vision for justice.

Michael Matheson, the Justice Secretary, has called for a shift in spending towards crime prevention, which the Scottish Conservatives fear will come at the expense of enforcement.

Liam Kerr, the Tory MSP, said he welcomes an increased focus on prevention, saying that along with rehabilitation, is the most effective way of cutting crime. “However, this cannot come at the expense of enforcement and keeping communities safe,” he added.

“Michael Matheson has hinted he wants to shift away from enforcement, but that will only make life easier for the criminals who destroy lives in towns and cities across Scotland.”

Under plans unveiled on Tuesday, Dundee or Fife will host one of two new custody units to accommodate 20 women each.

Five of the new units will eventually replace Scotland’s only female jail Cornton Vale, where demolition began on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said that they have not yet identified sites in Dundee or Fife, but are in contact with the councils there.

Mr Matheson said despite progress the cost of enforcement still outweighs the amount spent by the justice portfolio on prevention.

“The cost of the criminal justice system itself is about £2.5 billion per annum,” he said.

“In times of reduced public spending, a shift towards preventative spending is challenging, but it is more likely to be effective in the long-term.”

Liam McArthur, for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said there must be far more emphasis on rehabilitation in our justice system.