Innovative approach to repeat offending shows promise

An innovative approach to dealing with repeat offenders in Aberdeen Sheriff Court has the potential to benefit other areas, after a new report published today said it “shows promise”.

The Aberdeen Problem-Solving Approach (PSA) aims to reduce the use of custodial sentences, and cut reoffending, by addressing the underlying problems linked with persistent offending.

An independent review of the initiative - commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by Ipsos MORI Scotland and the University of Stirling/Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research - found that it “shows promise”.  It recommends that other areas of Scotland consider setting up similar initiatives.

While some specialist courts focus on a particular type of crime or problem, such as domestic abuse or drug use, the Aberdeen PSA is the first of its kind in Scotland to specialise in women and young men with multiple complex needs and a history of frequent low-level offending.

Instead of being sent to prison, participants are given a deferred sentence while they engage with social workers and support workers to address the underlying problems linked to their offending. They also return to court regularly to have their progress reviewed by a Sheriff, who provides praise, warnings and encouragement as appropriate.

The researchers found that overall, professionals were very positive about the approach – but reported that it was less successful for people with more entrenched problems and those who were not yet ready to change.

The report highlights the positive outcomes reported by participants - and backed up by professionals - including reductions in reoffending and substance use, and improvements in mental health and wellbeing, social skills and relationships, and housing situations.

It’s too early to say what the longer term outcomes will be, and the numbers are still small, but the fact that over half of participants were not in custody by the end of their involvement in the Problem Solving Approach is very encouraging.

Lorraine Murray, Research Director at Ipsos MORI