Bid to replace short prison terms

Ministers are seeking more effective short-term punishments

MSPs are to be asked to approve plans to prevent offenders receiving jail sentences of six months or less.

It is likely to be part of a bill before Holyrood in the new year aimed at tackling prison overcrowding and high levels of reoffending.

The bill is expected to include measures to ensure community sentences are made more meaningful.

The Scottish Government believes short sentences are costly and ineffective, with almost a 70% reoffending rate.

The proposals come after an independent review of criminal justice policy in July by the Scottish Prisons Commission.

It's about having something that's more effective in terms of stopping people reoffending Robert Brown Liberal Democrat justice spokesman

The report, which made 23 recommendations, concluded: "High prison populations do not reduce crime. They are more likely to create pressures that drive reoffending than to reduce it."

Labour MSP Richard Baker said he was worried by the move.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We don't think this is a simple solution to easing prison overcrowding, we think that's far too simplistic and we're very, very concerned about that proposal."

Mr Baker added: "I trust frankly more in the ability of sheriffs to look at the case and decide whether they feel a custodial sentence is appropriate."

But Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Robert Brown said the move would seek more effective means to cut reoffending rates.

Mr Brown said: "It's not about easing prison overcrowding, although that's a helpful side-product, it's about having something that's more effective in terms of stopping people reoffending."

The MSP said community sentences led to a far lower reoffending rate in the realm of 45%.

He added: "This has got to work in practical terms and people do have to have confidence in the community that it's going to be effective and successful."