Reducing offending

Community justice

Community justice is about reducing offending and supporting people to stop re-offending. It is agencies working with communities to help people with an offending history, their families and victims of crime.

Public consultation 

The Scottish Government has identified twelve complex needs that affect a person’s likelihood of not offending. This research was the basis of a survey of people who live and work in Midlothian.

The survey ran from 17 May to 17 June 2019, and collected quantitative and qualitative data. 450 responses were received; up 14.2% on the 2017 survey (394 responses).

Community justice partners

The Midlothian Community Safety and Justice Partnership is one of five strategic groups in the Community Planning Partnership. It is made up of these statutory partners:

  • Police Scotland
  • Midlothian Council:
    • Communities and Lifelong Learning
    • Housing
    • Education
    • Children and Families
    • Criminal Justice Social Work
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
  • NHS Lothian
  • Skills Development Scotland
  • Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service
  • Scottish Prison Service
  • Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

Plus the non-standard partners agreed by the partnership:

  • Victim Support Midlothian
  • Midlothian and East Lothian Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (MELDAP)
  • Mid and East Lothian Women’s Aid
  • Change Grow Live

Annual reporting 

The Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 places a duty on us and our partners to produce a Community Justice Outcome Improvement Plan. This must outline key local needs and priorities, with plans and actions to address them.

The partners must also report annually on the community justice outcomes and improvements in their area. Outcomes are measured against the strategy and framework. Annual reports are submitted to Community Justice Scotland.

Contact us

Follow updates from the Community Safety and Justice Partnership on our Facebook page and on Twitter.