National Evaluation of the Operation and Impact of Supervised Attendance Orders

Citation

Levy L & McIvor G (2001) National Evaluation of the Operation and Impact of Supervised Attendance Orders. Scottish Executive. Scottish Executive. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/156652/0042092.pdf

Abstract
First paragraph: Supervised attendance orders (SAOs) are a community-based alternative to imprisonment for fine default. They substitute the unpaid portion of a fine for a period of constructive activity designated by the social work department. They were first introduced in Scotland under Section 62 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 and were initially piloted in 1992. Following an evaluation of the pilot schemes, they were gradually introduced throughout Scotland during the mid-late 1990s. The original legislation was amended by Section 35 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1995 and Sections 235, 236 and 237 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. Together these Acts introduced several significant changes to the supervised attendance order legislation, including: the removal of the requirement that an offender's consent is obtained before an SAO is imposed; an increase in the custodial sentences available to the courts in the event of an order being breached; the introduction of SAOs as an alternative with further time to pay (Section 237 order); and the introduction in Dundee of a pilot scheme in which an SAO could be imposed as an alternative to a fine at first sentence for 16 and 17 year olds (section 236 order).