Community Justice

We work with people currently involved in the Scottish justice system. By addressing the underlying issues and pressures behind offending behaviour we are reducing offending, supporting rehabilitation and creating safer Scottish communities.

Our programmes of personal development - delivered across local authorities and in the outdoors support men and women in the justice system. This includes individuals on a Community Payback Order (CPO) (and sometimes on other criminal justice orders), ​Structured Deferred Sentences (SDS), Diversion from Prosecution, and Parole/voluntary throughcare.

We champion prevention and rehabilitation by supporting people to tackle complex circumstances and experiences which cause, or may cause them to offend. Our community justice work takes place in the outdoors within local communities and the Scottish wilderness; utilising the outdoors as a catalyst for conversation, reflection and change.

The eligibility for our justice programmes are:

Anyone aged 16+ and currently involved in the justice system as a result of offending or alleged offending behaviour*. They must also be one of the following:

• subject to a community order (e.g. CPO)
• subject to another intervention delivered or directed by justice social work services (e.g. diversion from prosecution, a structured deferred sentence)
• currently have a Justice Social Worker

We can accept referrals for individuals at different stages of their involvement in the justice system. For example:

• an assessment request may be made by the court
• a request could be made to add our programme to a current order (Programme/Supervision Requirement or added as part of ‘Any Other Activity’)
• working with another organisation but currently have a Justice Social Worker

Note: Venture Trust does not currently work with registered sex offenders or those subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).