CRIMINAL reconviction rates in Scotland have risen for the first time in a decade, according to the latest official figures.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician said 28.3 per cent of offenders were reconvicted within a year of being released from prison or getting a non-custodial sentence in 2018/19.

This was up from a reconviction rate of 26.4% the year before.

The reconviction rate for male offenders in 2018/19 was 29% and 24.6% for females. 

The increase bucked a trend that had seen reconviction rates fall every year since 2008/09, when 31.5% of criminals were reconvicted within 12 months.

It took place largely when Humza Yousaf, now under pressure as health secretary, was the SNP's justice secretary.

The latest figures show recidivism was highest for those committing crimes of dishonesty, at 45.6% in 2018/19, up from 42.6% in 2017/18.

Offenders who committed a sexual crime had the lowest reconviction rate, at 10.4%, down from 11.5% in 2017/18. 

Also in 2018/19, around 7% of offenders with a principle domestic abuse crime or offence were reconvicted for a further domestic abuse crime or offence, and almost 18% were reconvicted for any type of crime or offence.

The reconviction rate for custodial sentences was 43.8% in 2018/19, which is an increase of 2.8 percentage points from 41% in 2017/18. 

There was little change for Community Payback Orders (CPOs), the most commonly used community sentence. 

The reconviction rate was 29.2% in 2018/19, which was the same as in 2017/18. 

Among offenders given a non-court disposal by the police in 2018/19, such as a warning or fine, 18% received a similar disposal with in a year.

For those give a non-court disposal by the Crown Office, the repeat rate was 15%.  

The Scottish Government stressed reconviction rates remain historically low.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene said: “The increase in offenders committing another crime within a year of being sentenced is another bitter blow to victims.

“It is yet further evidence that the SNP’s soft-touch justice attitude is simply not working.

"They have presided over the highest year-on-year increase in reconviction rates which is deeply concerning.

“Victims are being let down time and time again on the SNP’s watch.

“Domestic abuse reconviction rates have hit an all-time high and drug reconvictions are on the increase too. That is against a backdrop of the SNP preparing to decriminalise drugs by the backdoor.

“Tougher sentencing and being on the side of victims can ensure increases in reconviction do not become a lasting trend under the SNP."

Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur added: "These statistics show clear failures in the SNP’s attempts to make communities safer by reducing reoffending. 

"They are the inevitable consequence of years of short-sighted thinking and under-resourcing.

“Ministers preach progressiveness, but practiced a ‘lock ‘em up’ mentality. Prisons have been bursting at the seams for years, and Scotland has one of the highest rates in Europe. Around a quarter of people being held haven’t even been convicted of a crime yet.

“Routes to rehabilitation barely exist. Throughcare was cancelled, and cells built by the Victorians for one person are seen as fit for two by the Scottish Prison Service. Experts say human rights are being breached.

“In the end, that means future crimes are more likely and people are less safe."

Keith Brown, who became justice secretary in May, said: “Our firm focus on prevention, effective community interventions and rehabilitation is working, with reconviction rates at one of the lowest levels recorded.

“Our Programme for Government is clear we should be working to change the way that imprisonment is used, while expanding community justice services which support community sentences and other interventions  that deliver real improvements.

“We have strengthened our financial commitment to community interventions, with the Scottish Budget for 2020/21 increasing investment in community justice services to more than £117million, an increase of over £6.5m compared to the previous financial year.

“Community sentencing makes individuals pay back to the community while addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. And they work. These figures show those given short custodial sentences of one year or less are reconvicted nearly twice as often as those given Community Payback Orders.

“We remain fully committed to taking forward a range of actions focused on reducing offending including improving rehabilitation for those in custody and providing support to better help them reintegrate back into a Scotland safer and fairer for all.”