Structured Deferred Sentence
DETAILS
Local Authority area:
East Lothian
Primary Courts of relevance:
Edinburgh Sheriff court
All information provided by:
East Lothian Community Justice Partnership
East Lothian Community Justice Information
Published: 15 November 2022
The information on this page has been provided by Community Justice Partnerships. Community Justice Scotland is not responsible for the accuracy of the information and is unable to respond to direct queries. All such queries in respect of the information shown on this page should be directed to the Community Justice Partnership to which it relates.
In Spring 2022, the information will be reviewed and updated where required. Thereafter a review, and any necessary revisions, will take place three times annually.
Structured Deferred Sentence
Interventions suitable for
Young people up to the age of 18
Programme Title and Provider
Youth Justice Service (East Lothian)
Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available
YJS can provide an individual, needs-led service now and when group work started this group would also be considered for that intervention.
Possible Outcomes
Support desistance and community reintegration.
Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention
Social Work may make a preference for a deferred sentence because a care plan/support package is already in place, as part of another order.
Interventions suitable for
People over the age of 18
Programme Title and Provider
Justice Social Work Services (East Lothian)
Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available
Structured Deferred Sentences for adult services has been implemented in 2023 as an additional disposal option available to the Courts. The eligibility criteria includes those who pose a low to medium risk of re-offending and have been involved in less serious offending, are at a lower risk of custody, have a less entrenched pattern of offending, have identified needs relating to offending behaviour, are not currently subject to a statutory order and are motivated to engage with a short, structured intervention.
Structured Deferred Sentences can be used to undertake a specific piece of work with an individual. Examples include engaging with addiction services or completing a specific module of work. Being provided with support to engage with employability services or with tenancy providers could be other examples. The process is designed to be flexible and individualised.
Possible Outcomes
Support desistance and community reintegration.
Meeting assessed criminogenic and non-criminogenic needs and building an individual’s motivation and capacity for positive change.
Reducing the frequency or seriousness of offending behaviour.
Avoiding premature or unnecessarily intensive periods of supervision in the community.
Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention
CJSWR
LSCMI