More cash for justice team

Its Criminal Justice Department, part of social work services, has been awarded an extra £37,000 by Fife and Forth Valley Criminal Justice Authority to tackle its workload.

It is also in line for a £100,000 windfall thanks to additional funds made available by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson for the redesign of the prison regime for the treatment of women prisoners.

Councillor David Alexander, SNP vice convener, said: “The service is a credit to the area and deserves the recognition it is being given. It is particularly gratifying to see the vote of confidence from Fife and Forth Valley CJA and Scottish Government.”

Mr Alexander said the extra money is the result of a board decision to allocate funding based on work volume.

Michael Matheson said: “We have the lowest crime figures for almost 40 years and an excellent clear up rate, but the government wants to go much further. Women in the judicial system require support to keep them from re-offending and the additional money will assist the council in this objective.”

Falkirk’s criminal justice team works with court and prison services to rehabilitate offenders and discourage re-offending.

It operates the Caledonian System for men convicted of domestic abuse, works with vulnerable women and children and oversees community sentences imposed as an alternative to custody.