Government Social Research
Used by policy makers to inform a decision on roll out of the pilot schemes.
The study, by Reid Howie Associates, reviewed relevant literature, legislation,
guidance, standards and statistical information relating to fines, supervised
attendance orders and receptions to prison, and also involved a number of
interviews with Sheriffs, Stipendiary Magistrates, JPs and other court and
Criminal Justice Social Work personnel.
The Supervised Attendance Order (SAO) is a community-based alternative to
imprisonment for fine default, currently available to all courts throughout
Scotland, which substitutes a period of constructive unpaid activity for
the unpaid portion of a fine. Mandatory SAO pilot schemes were set up in
Glasgow District Stipendiary Magistrates Court and Ayr Sheriff Court in
2004. These courts require to use SAOs in dealing with those defaulting
on fines of less than £500 and do not have the power to impose a custodial
sentence in such circumstances.
While there were some implementation problems in Glasgow, and mixed views
of the pilot's success, there was a considerable impact on receptions into
custody for fine default in the pilot areas - particularly for women offenders.
The authors concluded overall that there would be benefits from a mandatory
order, and made a number of suggestions in relation to SAOs generally and
the implications of any wider roll out. Subsequent to the reporting of the
evaluation, and taking into account the Sentencing Commission's support
for extended use of SAOs, it was announced by the Minister for Justice that
SAOs would operate on a mandatory basis across all Scottish courts from
summer 2007.