This service is managed by Children, Families and Justice Services
Community justice services
Community Justice means working to stop reoffending by tackling its root causes. Individuals, agencies and services work together to support, manage and supervise people who have convictions or a history of offending, with the aim of reducing offending and the harm it causes while helping people play a full part in their communities.
This approach puts planning in local hands, so decisions are made by people who know the area best. It involves communities, the voluntary sector, and people with lived experience of the criminal justice system in planning and delivering local solutions.
The Orkney Community Justice Partnership wants the best outcomes for people with convictions, victims, witnesses, families and communities. This means safely and effectively supporting people who have offended to reintegrate and reach their potential, while making sure victims of crime can access the support they need to recover.
Community justice
Partnership membership
- Chair: Stephen Brown, Chief Officer, Orkney Health and Care
- Vice-Chair: Inspector David Hall, Police Scotland
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) in Orkney sits within Orkney Health and Care. Funded by the Scottish Government, the service supervises people aged 16 and over who have received a community sentence, prepares court reports and supports community safety.
Bail supervision and electronic monitoring
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Bail supervision and electronic monitoring
Show HideBail supervision aims to reduce the number of people held in custody on remand, while keeping public safety in mind. A Justice Social Work assessment is usually prepared on the same day someone appears in court. Where bail supervision is ordered, it involves weekly contact with a Bail Supervision Officer, reducing over time based on risk; support and referrals to services such as housing or substance misuse; and regular compliance reports to the court. Persistent non-compliance may result in a report to Police Scotland and the Procurator Fiscal.
Electronic monitoring can be used alongside bail supervision, or on its own, to monitor curfews or exclusion zones.
Supervised release order
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Supervised release order
Show HideFor sentences of one to four years, a Supervised Release Order may require supervision by a criminal justice social worker after release, for up to 12 months.
Community payback orders
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Community payback orders
Show HideCourts can require someone to address their offending through supervision and/or unpaid work, with up to nine possible requirements including compensation, offending behaviour programmes, and mental health, drug or alcohol treatment. Community Payback Orders aim to match the level of intervention to the level of risk, while requiring individuals to give something back to their community.
Unpaid work in the community
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Unpaid work in the community
Show HidePeople on community payback orders may carry out work such as gardening for community organisations, decorating community centres, maintaining play parks or making goods for charities. Community groups and charities can apply for help - the scheme provides labour and tools, while the group provides materials. Work must benefit the community, not replace paid work, and must be aimed at not-for-profit organisations.
Court reports
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Court reports
Show HideReports are always prepared for anyone under 21, adults facing custody for the first time, and anyone already under supervision. Each report covers personal circumstances, attitude to the offence, victim impact, reoffending risk and a sentencing recommendation.
Diversion from prosecution
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Diversion from prosecution
Show HideThis allows some people accused of minor offences to be dealt with outside the court system, through programmes tailored to address the underlying causes of offending. The Procurator Fiscal decides whether to divert, based on the police report and the outcome of the programme.
Parole
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Parole
Show HideParole allows release into the community under supervision, subject to recall if licence conditions are breached. It is only granted where the Parole Board believes the risk can be safely managed.
Throughcare
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Throughcare
Show HideSupport for prisoners and their families from the point of sentencing, through imprisonment and after release, including advice on housing, benefits, education, training and rehabilitation. Available to anyone released from prison in Orkney within 12 months of release, and to those who have previously used the service.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)
MAPPA brings together police, local authorities, the Scottish Prison Service and health authorities to manage the risk posed by certain high-risk individuals, with other organisations including housing providers and electronic monitoring companies also required to cooperate.
Related resources
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MAPPA Annual Report 2024-25
This document contains the 2024/25 annual report on the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) across the Highlands and Islands. It explains how agencies assess and manage people who may pose a serious risk of harm, and outlines oversight, housing checks, parole planning and support. The report highlights new training, improvement plans and stronger governance, alongside challenges including rising numbers of registered sex offenders, limited funding and a housing shortage. It records 381 registered sex offenders in the area at 31 March 2025.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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MAPPA Annual Report 2022-23
This document contains the 2022/23 annual report on Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) across the Highlands and Islands. It explains how councils, police, health services, prisons and other partners share information and manage people who may pose a serious risk of harm, using three levels of supervision. It reports on oversight, case reviews, housing and support, new protective orders, future plans and key figures, including 332 registered sex offenders in the area on 31 March 2023 and a near 20% rise in managed offenders since 2021.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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MAPPA Annual Report 2021-22
This document contains the 2021/22 annual report on Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) across the Highlands and Islands. It explains how councils, police, health services, prisons and other partners share information and manage people who may pose a serious risk of harm, including registered sex offenders and restricted patients. It reviews governance, work after the Covid-19 pandemic, case reviews, planned improvements and statistics, including 284 registered sex offenders in the area at 31 March 2022.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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MAPPA Annual Report 2023-24
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s annual community justice return for April 2023 to March 2024. It covers partnership governance and work to divert people from prosecution, support people in custody or serving community sentences, improve access to health, housing and employment services, and reduce reoffending. It reports progress in diversion, bail supervision, electronic monitoring and community support, while noting challenges linked to geography, staffing, housing and uncertain funding, and sets out plans for further improvement.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice is an approach that brings together those harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm, in a safe and structured way. Watch the video produced by Community Justice Scotland, the Children and Young People's Centre for Justice and the Scottish Government to find out more.
Related resources
Plans, reports and assessments
Outcomes Improvement Plan 2025-2030
Our plan for how local and national partners will work with people and communities to reduce offending, support people to rebuild their lives, and improve outcomes for victims, families and communities.
Related resources
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Community justice outcomes and improvement plan 2025-2030
This document contains Orkney’s Community Justice Outcomes Improvement Plan for 2025–2030. It sets out how local and national partners will work with people and communities to reduce offending and reoffending, support people to rebuild their lives, and improve outcomes for victims, families and communities. The plan focuses on improving the justice system, addressing the effects of offending and people’s experiences, and strengthening partnership working. It also explains how progress will be delivered, monitored and reported.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Strategic Needs and Strengths Assessment 2023
An assessment of population trends, crime, people in the justice system and needs linked to housing, health, education, finances, relationships, substance use and mental health in Orkney.
Related resources
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Strategic Needs and Strengths Assessment 2023
This document contains Orkney’s 2023 Strategic Needs and Strengths Assessment for community justice. It examines population trends, crime, people in the justice system and needs linked to housing, health, education, finances, relationships, substance use and mental health. It also describes services provided by Council, health, police, justice and voluntary sector partners, including support for victims and families. The assessment highlights data limits and recommends better joint planning, information sharing, service mapping and early intervention.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Annual reports
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Outcome Activity Annual Report 2024-25
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s annual report on community justice activity from April 2024 to March 2025. It covers partnership work to support diversion from prosecution, bail, community sentences, prison release, housing, employment and recovery, alongside progress against national measures. It also describes challenges including remote access to services, staff vacancies, rising demand and uncertain funding, as well as plans to approve a new improvement plan, strengthen services and develop restorative justice and domestic abuse programmes.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Outcome Activity Annual Report 2023-24
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s annual community justice return for April 2023 to March 2024. It reports on partnership work to support diversion from prosecution, bail, community sentences, prison release, housing, employment and public understanding. It highlights strong local collaboration and positive outcomes, alongside challenges from geography, staffing, service access and uncertain funding. It also sets out plans to embed a new improvement plan, expand restorative justice and support services, and strengthen self-evaluation.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Executive Summary Annual Report 2023-24
This document contains the Orkney Community Justice Partnership’s annual report for 2023/24, outlining how local agencies support people involved in the justice system and work to reduce reoffending. It reports progress against 13 national priority actions, including successful diversion, community sentences, housing support and employment help, while noting gaps in restorative justice and ongoing difficulties with geography, funding, housing and access to services. The report sets out plans to strengthen local services, support women, improve employment opportunities and increase public understanding of community justice.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Outcome Activity Annual Report 2022-23
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s 2022-23 annual return on community justice. It describes partnership work to improve public understanding, access to support, employment, wellbeing and efforts to reduce reoffending, including a rise in Community Payback Orders from 29 to 60. It also outlines challenges such as rural access, staffing shortages, waiting lists and short-term funding, alongside progress through online services and joint working. Priorities include a new local improvement plan, self-evaluation and better service commissioning.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Executive Summary 2022-23
This document contains the Orkney Community Justice Partnership’s annual report for 2022/23. It explains how local organisations worked together to support people involved in the justice system, reduce reoffending and help people return to community life, while describing challenges such as limited housing, staff shortages, waiting lists and access to addiction services. It also highlights increased use of community sentences, online support and partnership working, and sets out plans for a new improvement plan, service reviews, better diversion from prosecution and trauma-informed work.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.