A look inside the justice system in Caithness

People in Caithness are being invited to learn more about how the justice system works and how community sentencing operates in the county.

Highland Council’s justice service team will be hosting an open day next month where members of the public can get an inside look at the system.

The open day will be divided into four public sessions. Social work staff will be explaining some of the justice process with emphasis on the work that the council’s justice service provides to the court, the parole board, Scottish ministers and other stakeholders.

This will include information about the interventions provided to individuals with a range of needs including sex offender and domestic abuse treatment programmes.

Each session will be divided in two separate informal presentations, one explaining sentencing and what it means for individuals to complete a community payback order or to be on any type of licence, and another session showcasing the work that has been carried out over the years in Caithness by individuals receiving unpaid work requirements as part of their sentences.

Councillor Andrew Jarvie, who chairs the local authority’s Caithness Committee, said: “The council and partners are working hard to help people turn their lives around, to gain new skills and confidence to enable them to avoid reoffending while making a positive contribution to their local communities.

“The types of unpaid work projects carried out cover a wide range of tasks and the benefits of the works reach various organisations and the public. This open day gives the public a chance to come along and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.”

Examples of local work carried out include Staxigoe Hall near Wick, where the community payback team has helped with the refurbishment of the hall three times, and last year Wick’s Town and County Hospital’s garden took receipt of a replacement boat which was renovated and repaired by Wick community payback clients.

The open day will take place on Friday, September 19. The sessions will take place at 9.30 am, 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm and will last a maximum of 90 minutes each.

Anyone interested in coming along is asked to book a place in advance by phoning 01349 781300. The justice service in Caithness is located at Unit 27B, Airport Industrial Estate, Wick, KW1 4QS.