Criminal Justice services undertake a range of statutory duties concerned with the assessment and supervision of offenders subject to community sentences or subject to supervision following a custodial sentence.
The service plays an important role in public protection with regard to the risk assessment and supervision of serious violent and sex offenders; working closely with colleagues within the local authority, the Police, Scottish Prison Service and Health Service.
If you are convicted of an offence the Court might ask us to write a report on you to help them decide how to sentence. Depending on our report the Court may order you to see us on a regular basis to get assistance to stop offending or be supervised on a community based punishment such as unpaid work.
If you get a prison sentence, depending on how long and what type of sentence you get, we may be asked to have contact with you whilst you are in prison, report on any issues regarding home leave and release, and supervise your return to the community.
West Dunbartonshire Council delivers these services in formal partnership with Argyll and Bute and East Dunbartonshire councils. This partnership has a single manager, budget and is accountable to a committee comprised of elected members from each of the partner councils.
Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) were introduced in 2007 following implementation of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2005 Sections 10 and 11. The Act places statutory obligations on responsible authorities to co-operate in respect of Registered Sex Offenders and Restricted Patients.
If you want to find out more information about Criminal Justice Services visit the West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership website.