Targets for implementing community service orders are being missed across Tayside and Fife, figures show.
Information obtained by the Scottish Lib Dems reveals criminals are waiting weeks to begin unpaid work placements in Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife.
The news has caused particular concern because legislation scrapping short prison sentences, due to come into force in February, is likely to see the courts give more offenders community-based disposals.
Tory justice spokesman John Lamont claimed the figures showed the proposed changes have “severe flaws.”
They show less than half of the 21 offenders sentenced to community service in Angus in September met the Scottish Government target of starting the unpaid work within a week.
The picture was even worse in Perth and Kinross, where under a third of offenders began their sentence within the seven-day target, with almost half still waiting to start after a month.
Dundee fared slightly better, with 54% starting within a week, while Fife was more successful again at 67%.
Across Scotland, seven local authorities had less than half of their community work placements starting within a week, with nine councils taking over a month to get some of the sentences under way.
Lib Dem justice spokesman Robert Brown said the figures were “not satisfactory.”
“Robust and effective community sentences are a much better option than very short prison sentences which just don’t work,” he said.
“But in order for community sentences to fulfil their real potential for both offenders and communities, these work placements must be properly implemented, within given time frames.”
He added, “In some areas, offenders kick their heels for almost a month before their sentence begins. This does neither the victim nor the offender any favours.”‘Tough, fast and effective’Mr Lamont attacked the Lib Dems for highlighting the figures but still supporting scrapping short prison sentences.
“In publishing these figures the Scottish Lib Dems must be asking themselves why they recently joined together with the SNP to pass legislation scrapping short sentences,” he said.
“With more criminals set to be on our streets from February 2011, how will the system cope?”
He added, “We want community-based sentences to be tough, fast and effective.
“Until we have that robust system in place, custodial sentences of three months or less should have remained an option. Thanks to the Scottish Lib Dems and SNP, they have not.”
The government has provided £9.5 million to local authorities in the last two years to strengthen the community service system and insisted improvements have been made.
A spokesman said, “What statistics on community service show is that offenders are now being sent out to repay their debt to the community more quickly than ever before, and we have brought in legislation to ensure that in future this is the case for all offenders in all authority areas.
“The justice secretary has made clear that he will be looking for community justice authorities to build on the performance, particularly in those local authority areas where figures are still falling short of the standards expected.
“When that happens, Scotland will be well on its way to meeting its targets.”
Under legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament this year sheriffs have been effectively banned from jailing anyone for under three months except in extenuating circumstances.
The government wants a presumption to impose community service.