Breaking the cycle of crime?

Research shows that 70% of the public don’t know what community justice is or even means, so a short film has been launched to raise awareness about the benefits.

Community Justice Scotland worked with The Union creative communications agency in Edinburgh to produce the short film explaining how sentences in the community can help stop people reoffending and break the cycle of crime.

What is community justice?

Community justice is where people who have broken the law are held to account and supported to reconnect and contribute to their communities. Where it is safe to do so, people who commit certain crimes receive community-based sentences. This can include treatment for underlying issues such as drug or alcohol addiction, unpaid work, fines and compensation or restrictions of liberty such as electronic tagging and curfews. The evidence shows community justice can help people stop breaking the law again leading to fewer victims and safer communities. You can read more in the CJS Framing Toolkit.

Part of the film - which uses an actor - is shot in Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston, Edinburgh, where people sometimes carry out unpaid work as part of community payback orders.

Community Justice Scotland will use the film at events, presentations and meetings – but it is also available to others working in the justice sector and beyond.

Mairi Clare Rodgers, Interim Head of Communications at Community Justice Scotland, said:

“Community justice is one sentencing option that can help people stop breaking the law again leading to fewer victims and safer communities. Yet, research has told us that the majority of the Scottish public do not know what it is.

“That’s why it’s important that we continue to raise awareness of how a community first approach to sentencing can keep Scotland safer and we hope this film will help.

“The evidence shows us that where it’s safe, keeping people connected to their support networks in the community where they can access help to change their offending behaviour can help prevent reoffending.”

Michael Hart, Creative Director of The Union, said:

“Like so many other sectors, the justice system could do with a little disruption and transformation. Community justice is the change it needs. It was a privilege to create a film that we hope makes its value clear and unarguable.”

Research was carried out with focus groups which included video script testing with stakeholders, people working in justice and members of the public to ensure the film would communicate the information in a clear and concise way.

A short follow up film is planned explaining the work of Community Justice Scotland and how the public body is focused on prevention – from preventing people going into the justice system through to reducing reoffending.