The reconviction rate in Scotland has recorded its largest year-on-year increase since records began.
New figures from the SNP Government show the number of offenders who were released in 2018-19, but went onto commit another crime within 12 months hit 28.3%.
That was an increase of almost two percentage points since 2017-18 and represented the first increase in the reconviction rate in a decade.
Shadow Justice Secretary Jamie Greene says the increase is another ‘bitter blow’ to victims of crime and further evidence of the SNP’s soft-touch justice attitude.
Reconviction rates for domestic abuse have hit a record high. Drug offence reconvictions have also hit an eight-year high, just as the SNP prepare to severely weaken drug possession laws.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Jamie Greene MSP, said: “The increase in offenders committing another crime within a year of being sentenced is another bitter blow to victims.
“It is yet further evidence that the SNP’s soft-touch justice attitude is simply not working. They have presided over the highest year-on-year increase in reconviction rates which is deeply concerning.
“Victims are being let down time and time again on the SNP’s watch.
“Domestic abuse reconviction rates have hit an all-time high and drug reconvictions are on the increase too. That is against a backdrop of the SNP preparing to decriminalise drugs by the backdoor.
“The Scottish Conservatives will introduce a Victims Law to finally put them at the heart of our justice system, as well as strengthening community sentencing.
“Tougher sentencing and being on the side of victims can ensure increases in reconviction do not become a lasting trend under the SNP.”
Notes
Scotland’s reconviction rate saw the highest increase on record. Amongst the 2018-19 offender cohort, the reconviction rate stood at 28.3 – an increase from the previous rate of 26.4 amongst the 2017-18 cohort. This is the highest year on year increase since statistics on recidivism were collected in 1997-98. (Scottish Government, Reconviction rates in Scotland, 4 October 2021, Table 1, link).
This is the highest reconviction rate recorded since 2014-15. The reconviction rate of 28.3 was the highest rate recorded since 2014-15, when the reconviction rate stood at 28.4. (Scottish Government, Reconviction rates in Scotland, 4 October 2021, Table 1, link).
Reconviction rates for crimes of dishonesty were at their highest level since 2006-07. For crimes of dishonesty, the reconviction rate recorded amongst the 2018-19 offender cohort was 45.6 – the highest in any year since 2006-07 when the recorded rate was 46.6. (Scottish Government, Reconviction rates in Scotland, 4 October 2021, Table 6, link).
Reconviction rates for drug crimes were at their highest level since 2010-11. For drug crimes, the reconviction rate recorded amongst the 2018-19 offender cohort stood at 25.2 – the highest in any year since 2010-11 when the rate recorded was 25.9. (Scottish Government, Reconviction rates in Scotland, 4 October 2021, Table 6, link).
The reconviction rate of domestic abusers increased to their highest level. Reconviction rates for those convicted of domestic abuse crimes have only been recorded for two years. In 2018-19, the reconviction rate for these types of crimes rose from 26.4 in 2017-18 to 28.3 in 2018-19. (Scottish Government, Reconviction rates in Scotland, 4 October 2021, Table 8a, link).