Criminal Justice Services Introduction to Criminal Justice Services The information in this leaflet lists the wide range of services provided by Glasgow City Council’s Social Work Services to the Criminal Justice System. These services include: • supporting victims of crime and their families • assisting people attending Court whether as witnesses, accused people or offenders • supervising offenders on Community Service Orders who are required to perform unpaid, useful work to the benefit of the community • providing background reports on offenders to Courts – these assist decisions on bail and sentencing • preparing reports for the Parole Board to assist decisions about early release from prison • supervising offenders in the community • working with prisoners (and their families) whilst in prison and on release Other leaflets are available which provide more detail about each area of service for example, ‘Social Work Reports to Court’, ‘Your Probation Order’, and ‘A guide to Community Service Orders’. Social Work Services’ responsibilities It is the responsibility of Social Work Services to: • promote and contribute to community safety and public protection • challenge offending behaviour – help offenders realise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, their families, the community and their victims • provide effective supervision of offenders in the community • provide Courts with a range of alternatives to prison • assist with problems that may contribute to offending, for example, drug or alcohol misuse Criminal Justice Social Work Services in Glasgow are provided by the City Council, voluntary organisations and community groups. Access to these services can be obtained at Court, in prison or through local social work offices. Social Work Services’ main aims include: • tackling and reducing offending behaviour • supporting victims of crime • supervising offenders in the community • assisting prisoners re-settle into the community after release from custody Offenders are supervised on: • Probation - to reduce offending behaviour • Community Service Orders – to repay the community for the offences they have committed • Supervised Attendance Orders – as an alternative to prison for failing to pay a fine • Bail – as an alternative to remand in prison • Parole – to aid rehabilitation • Supervised Release and other prison aftercare orders – to assist public safety and community protection How to ask for services Social work services are usually arranged through your local social work office (see links to contact information at the back of this leaflet). Criminal Justice Social Work Services are often a requirement of a court or prison release order. Criminal Justice Services are also available to: victims of crime; people attending court; people who have left prison in the past year; community groups or individuals who could benefit from the community service by offenders scheme. These services can be arranged through one of the following: Your local social work office - opening times are: Mon – Thurs 8.45am – 4.45pm Friday 8.45am – 3.55pm Please note that not all local social work offices offer Criminal Justice Services, if you are unsure please phone first. Criminal Justice Services are available at the following addresses: Social Work Unit Social Work Unit Glasgow Sheriff Court Glasgow Justice of the Peace Court 1 Carlton Place 1 Carlton Place Glasgow G5 9DA Glasgow G5 9DA Phone: 0141 276 1845 Phone: 0141 276 1845 Bail Service Social Work Unit Glasgow Sheriff Court Glasgow High Court (Address as above) 1 Mart Street Phone: 0141 276 1845 Glasgow G1 5NA Phone: 0141 559 4529 Glasgow Drug Court / Drug HMP Barlinnie Testing and Treatment Orders Lee Avenue Glasgow Sheriff Court Glasgow G33 2QX 80 Norfolk Street Phone: 0141 770 2123 Glasgow G5 9EJ Phone: 0141 274 6000 Emergency situations If you have an emergency: • within office hours, we will give you an urgent appointment • outwith office hours, phone our Standby Service on: 0800 811505 There are a number of other organisations who provide information advice and support to people affected by or involved in the criminal justice system and their families. Some of the main ones are listed here: Victim Support Scotland SACRO 10 Jocelyn Square Central Chambers Glasgow G1 5JU 93 Hope Street Phone: 0845 603 9213 Glasgow G2 6LD (low rate call) Phone: 0141 248 1763 APEX (Scotland) Dick Stewart Project 45 Hope Street Crossreach Glasgow G2 6AE 40 Circus Drive Phone: 0141 248 4537 Glasgow G31 2JE Phone: 0141 554 0277 Turning Point Talbot Association 123 West Street Kingston Halls Glasgow G5 8BA 344 Paisley Road Phone: 0141 420 6969 Glasgow G5 8RE (drug users only) Phone: 0141 429 4541 Do you require interpreting or signing services at your appointment? If you need to communicate in a language other than English we can arrange an interpreter. If you arrive at an area office, the member of staff you see can arrange telephone interpreting in Urdu, Punjabi and Chinese. We can then deal with your issue via telephone interpreting or make an appointment when an interpreter can attend in person. If you require interpreting in any other language, an appointment will be made when an interpreter can be present. This leaflet is also available in Urdu, Punjabi and Chinese. Ask for a copy at reception in your local area office or telephone the Social Work Services Unit on: Communications 0141 420 5500 If you have a hearing impairment and would like an interpreter to attend your appointment please let us know and we will make the necessary arrangements. Arranging interpreters may mean you have to wait a bit longer for an appointment. If you have difficulty reading this leaflet or know someone who may have difficulty, it is also available on tape, disc, in Braille and large print. If you would like a copy in one of these formats ask at reception or telephone the Centre for Sensory Impaired People on: 0141 276 5252 Other information We have a number of other factsheets and leaflets on topics we are often asked about. Information is being developed all the time. The receptionist at your local social work office will tell you what information is available. If you prefer you can phone the Social Work Services Communications Unit on: 0141 420 5500 OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU Confidentiality We will as far as possible respect your confidentiality and you have legal rights under the Data Protection Act. If you would like further information ask at your appointment. Equality We are committed to ensuring that: • our services are equally open to all • we will not accept discrimination or harassment on any grounds by either our staff or people using our services • we gather statistics about our services to ensure standards are being met, and to plan for future service provision - you may be asked to provide information to assist us in this • we publish reports regularly on our performance in meeting these standards Welfare rights advice You can be provided with welfare rights advice to promote full uptake of benefit. Involving you in the service We will involve you as much as possible in discussion and decisions affecting your situation and in planning the services you receive. Would you like to comment on the service you get? If you would like to make a suggestion, comment or complaint about the service you have received from us please speak to a member of staff at your local area office. Any comments we receive help us plan our future services. You could also pick up a leaflet called `Comments, Compliments Complaints' at your local office, which explains how to comment in writing or by phone. If we are unable to resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you will then have the right to refer the matter to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman by writing to Freepost EH641, Edinburgh, EH3 0BR or telephoning 0800 377 7330. You must do this within 12 months of first being notified of the matters you are complaining about. Contact Information for Local Social Work Offices Information on contact details for local social work offices can be found by selecting the links below. Please note that links will open in a new browser window. North East local social work office North West local social work office South local social work office Produced by Glasgow City Council,Social Work Services, Communications Unit, Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, G1 1HL Phone: 0141 420 5500 Ref: SW009/September99 This material cannot be reproduced in whole or in part in any form by any means without the prior consent of Glasgow City Council Social Work Services..