The current approach to sentencing does not work. Our prisons are overcrowded, and reoffending is a continuing problem, with very little progress being made towards the Scottish Government’s national indicator to reduce reconviction rates. Despite being a policy priority for a number of years, rates have fallen by less than one per cent in three years.We want a new approach to sentencing that is based on evidence, not rhetoric. 

• Partnership working. Efforts to reduce the likelihood of reoffending will require that the complex needs of offenders and victims are addressed by a wide partnership of agencies and services working together. We will encourage greater use of diversion from prosecution schemes and programmes of meaningful activity for those given a custodial sentence.
• Community sentencing. We will call for short prison sentences of less than twelve months to be abolished; increase the use of non-custodial sentences and educational disposals; provide robust rehabilitation programmes; and call for reform that ensures custodial sentences are only used for those who pose a threat to the public.