Bail Supervision
Description:
Bail supervision in Scotland is a voluntary, community-based alternative to remand for individuals aged 16+ at risk of custody while awaiting trial or sentencing. It involves intensive support from a social work or third-sector supervisor to meet conditions, often including electronic monitoring, to reduce reoffending risk. Key Aspects of Bail Supervision: • Purpose: Enables individuals to remain in the community, reducing reliance on remand while mitigating risks to public safety. • Support & Monitoring: Supervisees must attend regular meetings—often at least two times per week—with a bail officer for support, can be seen and supported by other services involved including help with housing, substance use, and mental health. • Process: If bail is opposed by the Procurator Fiscal, justice social work services assess the individual (usually in court cells) and recommend this to the court. • Breaches: Failure to comply with conditions is an offence and will be reported to the police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). • Voluntary Participation: The person must consent to be assessed for and to participate in the scheme • Court Imposes: The court can impose Bail Supervision Order with or without Electronic Monitoring, even if the person has said not consented. • Electronic Monitoring: It should be noted that electronic monitoring (EM) is an additional way of monitoring bail conditions that can be put in place, either in addition to or separately to bail supervision. This service aims to maintain family relationships, employment, and housing stability while ensuring compliance with court bail conditions.