Boost for young offender charity

The cash will help provide trips into the country for offenders

A young offenders charity has been given £400,000 to help run a mobile training camp to tackle the causes of crime.

The customised vehicle is operated by Venture Trust, a charity that gives less serious offenders the chance to get involved in outdoor challenges.

The unit is to be used by the Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority in a pilot scheme for 14-18-year-olds.

It is part of the government's drive to strengthen community penalties.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "We must tackle the root causes of offending to cut crime in our communities.

"We need to show young men that there is more to life than drink, drugs and criminality."

He said the project would help change criminal behaviour by improving training and employment prospects.

The devil finds time for idle hands and we need to set them [youths] on a path to a new life and work Kenny MacAskill Justice Secretary

He added: "By building self-esteem, and getting them fit for life and work, we can target repeat offending and low level crime which blights too many of our communities.

"The devil finds time for idle hands and we need to set them on a path to a new life and work.

"Young men who continue along the path of addiction and offending are likely to end up in the revolving door of short prison sentences.

"The challenge we face is turning their lives around and giving them and the communities in which they live a fresh start."

The unit will work as a "base camp" to support outdoor activities as well as providing a training resource for offenders in the community.

It will be involved in the Turnaround offenders project, which was launched by the government in January.

Mr MacAskill added: "Giving less serious offenders who have lost their way another chance is essential if we are to develop a culture of responsibility in this country."

Wilderness setting

A Venture Trust spokeswoman said: "The funding received from the Scottish Government has allowed Venture Trust to move beyond its residential base in the north-west Highlands of Scotland and to operate in communities throughout Scotland.

"Working with men and women in their communities, prior to taking them on a personal, wilderness based, development programme.

"Without this funding from the Scottish Government, it would not have been possible for Venture Trust to expand beyond their residential training centre in the north-west Highlands."

Turnaround was created to focus on substance abusers, as well as offenders who have experienced homelessness, mental health problems or those who lack coping and social skills.

Venture Trust was set up to give people time and space in a wilderness setting, away from the pressures of home.