Scottish low-level offenders 'will do manual labour'

BBC News - Scottish low-level offenders 'will do manual labour': "A new law has come into force across Scotland which means low-level criminals can be ordered to do manual labour instead of serving time in jail.

From now on, courts will be encouraged to consider imposing a Community Payback Order as an alternative to jail terms of less than three months.

It means offenders can be tasked with removing graffiti or renovation work.

Labour said it was a 'dark day for justice' but ministers said jail was the right place for serious offenders.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: 'But at the other end of the scale, we need to address Scotland's appalling reoffending rate for low-level offenders.

'These offenders are going in and out of prison, time and time again and committing more crime in communities upon release."

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