People will have an opportunity to see how the justice system works in practice when Highland Council opens its Justice Services in Inverness and Golspie to the public this September.

Open days will take place at Inverness Justice Centre on Wednesday 9 September and Golspie Justice Services on Thursday 10 September, offering an insight into Justice Social Work and what happens when someone enters the justice system.

The Inverness sessions will include the opportunity to tour a courtroom and follow an individual’s journey through the system.

Visitors will also be able to learn about sentencing options, take part in interactive case studies based on real examples and put questions directly to staff.

Justice Service staff will explain the work carried out for the courts, Parole Board, Scottish Ministers and other organisations involved in the justice system.

Councillor David Fraser, Chair of Highland Council’s Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, said:

“This is a valuable opportunity for members of the public to better understand the justice system, the people involved, and the important role Justice Social Work plays in supporting positive outcomes and safer communities.”

The Inverness open day will run in two sessions at Inverness Justice Centre on Longman Road, from 10am until noon and again from 2pm until 4pm.

Places should be booked in advance by calling 01463 644900 or emailing cjs.Inverness@highland.gov.uk.

A separate open day will be held at Golspie Justice Services in Drummuie from 10am until noon on Thursday 10 September.

Visitors there will hear about the role of Justice Social Work, unpaid work and the programmes delivered as part of community based sentences.

Councillor Richard Gale, Chair of the Sutherland Committee, said:

“The open day at Golspie on the tenth September will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service which plays an important role in our communities.

“The Council works closely with partners to provide support and supervision to offenders, aiming to help them reintegrate into the community and address issues that lead to offending.

“The service supports offenders to gain new skills and increase their confidence which enables them to avoid reoffending while making a positive contribution to their local communities.

“We encourage the public to come along and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.”

Justice Social Work has a role both in providing information to courts and supervising people serving sentences within communities, with the wider aim of reducing reoffending and improving public safety.

The open days offer the public a relatively unusual opportunity to look beyond the courtroom and understand what happens after decisions are made.

Places for the Golspie session can be booked by calling 01408 635369 or emailing cjs.Golspie@highland.gov.uk.