Bail Supervision

Interventions suitable for

Bail Supervision is available across the whole of Aberdeenshire for all ages and genders.

Programme Title and Provider

Bail Supervision

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Bail Supervision operates within the provisions of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and is designed to reduce the numbers of accused persons held on remand in custody pending trial or for reports after conviction, who subject to safeguards in respect of public safety could be released on supervised bail pending their further court hearing.
In Aberdeenshire, Bail Supervision is provided by the Aberdeenshire Council Criminal Justice Social Work Service. Individuals who would otherwise be held on remand are released on bail on the condition that they meet with an identified bail supervisor from the Aberdeenshire Criminal Justice Social Work Service a specified number of times per week – the aim of these meetings being to support the individual to comply with the conditions of their bail, as well as monitor and manage their risk of reoffending within the community.

Possible Outcomes

Bail Supervision is intended to provide a robust and credible alternative to remand where individuals are assessed as requiring a level of supervision and support to meet their bail conditions.
In terms of Community Justice Outcomes, Bail Supervision could contribute towards:

• Effective Interventions are delivered to prevent and reduce the risk of further offending.
• People have better access to the services they require.
• Life chances are improved through needs being met.
• Individuals’ resilience and capacity for change and self-management are enhanced.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

Bail Supervision is available for people from the Aberdeenshire area who are appearing at Aberdeen, Banff or Peterhead Sheriff Courts who, due to their underlying complex needs, may be unable to comply with regular bail conditions or community sentences and as a result, are at risk of remand and/or custody. Bail Supervision will therefore be targeted at those whose application for bail would likely otherwise have been unsuccessful.
Criminal Justice Social Work will be responsible for liaising with the Procurator Fiscal and checking for risk of remand and clarify offence details to ensure that the case is suitable for Bail Supervision. Before Bail Supervision is granted, an assessment of suitability is completed and a written report will be provided to the Court from Criminal Justice Social Work using the pro-formas based on the National Guidance document.
The assessment for Bail Supervision will take account of a number of factors, including: Nature of the charges and any outstanding charges, including breaches of bail; Public/Witness Protection; previous failure to appear/absconding; suitability of accommodation; areas in the individual’s life where they may require support during the bail period; and willingness to agree to the conditions of bail and supervised bail. Bail Supervision would not be considered suitable for persons who are not at risk of remand.