Labour MSP Margaret McDougall says it has given her a great sense of achievement to see her amendment supported today.

Ms McDougall says she wanted to ensure the third sector are properly engaged with by community justice partners.

The Labour MSP says we should move from annual to three year funding for third party bodies. 

She says she is still concerned that the funding will not cover all the proposed changes and for this to succeed it must be properly resourced.

Minor offenders would receive community-based punishments rather than short jail terms under plans being revived by the Scottish government.

Last September ministers said the move, defeated when the SNP formed a minority government, would help tackle reoffending.

Currently there is a presumption against courts imposing sentences of three months or less.

Figures showed 60% of those sentenced to less than three months were reconvicted within a year.

In 2010 the government introduced, for the first time in Scots law, a presumption against short prison sentences, except where no other punishment would be appropriate.

Ms Mitchell regrets her proposal for a sunset clause for post-legislative scrutiny was rejected by the parliament. 

Nonetheless the bill has been improved and her party will support the bill at decision time. 

Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell says the bill was introduced after criticism by Audit Scotland and the Commission on Women Offenders on the current community justice set up.

Ms Mitchell says this bill paves the way for significant reforms in the community justice system in Scotland.

A key element missing is prevention and early intervention, she says. 

The Tory MSP says the SNP government has missed an opportunity here.  

The aim of the bill, external is "to help create a stronger community justice system based on local collaborative strategic planning and delivery, with national leadership, support and assurance". 

The bill therefore abolishes the eight existing regional community justice authorities and creates a new model for community justice services. 

Labour MSP Elaine Murray says the amendments have enhanced the bill.

Ms Murray says this has been a short Stage 3 debate today, partly because of the widespread agreement on the bill's measures.

Ms Murray says Scotland is over-reliant on prisons and it is important the new structure can improve community justice. 

She says community disposals must work for victims and the public and "awareness and confidence in community disposals must be raised". 

The minister says the Community Justice Bill will create a firm foundation for a robust and transparent new model for community justice in Scotland. 

Mr Wheelhouse calls on MSPs to pass the bill at decision time. 

Third sector organisations representing victims and their families must be involved in community justice, says the minister. 

Mr Wheelhouse says supporting the Community Justice Partners is one of the functions of Community Justice Scotland.

Community Justice Scotland will provide leadership for the community justice sector he says.

The minister says prevention is essential and while the bill does not include primary prevention, other policies are taking this forward.

Mr Wheelhouse says there are now stronger provisions for participation of the third sector in community justice.

The SNP MSP says the third sector is vital to the successful planning and delivery of community justice. 

Community Justice Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the common aim is to secure better outcomes for people and communities across Scotland.

That will contribute to the government's vision of a fairer justice system, he says.

Mr Wheelhouse says that is reflected with fewer people in prison and more community justice. 

Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Paul Wheelhouse leads the final debate on the Community Justice (Scotland) Bill, external.

Scottish Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell speaks to her amendment relating to the provision as to repeal of the Act.

Ms Mitchell proposes a sunset clause for post-legislative scrutiny. 

Labour MSP Elaine Murray says it would be odd to insert a sunset clause,.

The minister also objects to the sunset clause.

The amendment is defeated with 12 MSPs voting for it and 98 against.

The Bill provides for the following community justice partners: 

• local authorities
• health boards
• Police Scotland
• the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

• Skills Development Scotland
• health and social care integration joint boards
• the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service; and the Scottish Ministers (in practice, the Scottish Prison Service)  

Scottish Labour MSP Elaine Murray speaks to her amendment relating to the duty of co-operation.

Her amendment is unanimously passed.

Labour MSP Margaret McDougall says she welcomed the minister saying that the third sector is crucial for community justice delivery.

Ms McDougall speaks to her amendments 30 and 31 relating to outcomes improvement planning. 

She says the amendments will ensure community justice partners submit a statement to Community Justice Scotland detailing the crucial role of the third sector. 

The minister says he is grateful to Margaret McDougall saying the third sector play an important role in community justice and community justice partners must evidence their involvement in planning.

MSPs unanimously agree and pass Ms McDougall's amendments. 

Mr Wheelhouse now speaks to his amendments relating to the national strategy and performance framework for community justice.

The bill  states that Scottish ministers will be responsible for a number of matters, including a national strategy and national performance framework for community justice.

Image source, bbc

The minister says the strategy is about community justice.

The amendments are passed unanimously. 

The minister says he hopes Ms McDougall's amendments are backed by the whole chamber.

MSPs unanimously pass her amendments. 

Labour MSP Margaret McDougall speaks to her amendments relating to third sector bodies involved in community justice victims’ groups.

Ms McDougall says these victims organisations must be named in the bill.

The minister now speaks to his amendments relating to community justice services. 

These are services to reduce reoffending and prepare prisoners for their release. 

These are services to reduce reoffending and prepare prisoners for their release.

MSPs unanimously pass the rest of the minister's amendments in the first grouping.