Robert Brown condemns the closure of Scotland's first Community Court

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th May 2009

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has called on the SNP Government to respect the will of the Scottish Parliament and overturn a decision to shelve plans for Scotland's first Community Court.

Mr. Brown, Justice spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, joined a cross party campaign to pass a motion to condemn the Scottish Government's plans to scrap the pioneering court project, which was to be based in the East End of Glasgow.

Community Courts operate successfully across the US, most noticeably in New York. In the UK, there is already a community court in Liberal-Democrat run Liverpool.

Last month it was revealed that the SNP Government had shelved plans for the new court system, thought to be due to cost.

Robert Brown said:

"There is clearly a lack of joined up thinking on the part of the SNP Government here.

"They have on the one hand, made a commitment to reduce short term prison sentences and on the other, scrapped plans to introduce an innovative idea which has been proved in other places to reduce re offending substantially, increase rehabilitation and cut down the soaring costs of custodial sentences.

"This scheme had cross party support - including from the SNP - when first legislated for in 2006. But yet again the story is one of SNP broken promises and lack of imagination.

"Community Courts have been very successful in New York, Liverpool and other parts of the world.

"Piloting the Scottish version in Glasgow would have brought a cut in crime rates and an increase in the quality of life for many residents of the East End, never mind smashing the never-ending cycle many repeat offenders find themselves trapped in for life.

"With the Community Court system, rehabilitation and accountability to the community is the focus, rather than short term incarceration, which everyone knows doesn't work.

"Scrapping the Glasgow Community Court project is a short sighted measure based on short term financial issues rather than common sense. It's a shame the Scottish Government can't see that rehabilitation of offenders and safer communities will reap more than just financial rewards for Scotland's future."

ends