Increasing numbers of community payback orders (CPOs) are being handed out to criminals across Tayside.
CPOs have been available to courts since early 2011 and are frequently used as an alternative to prison sentences of three months or less.
Before that date, offenders were most likely to receive a probation order, supervised attendance or community service.
The orders can include a range of attached conditions including unpaid work, supervision and treatment requirements for drug, alcohol or mental health issues.
Data presented to the latest meeting of the Tayside Community Justice Authority (TCJA) has confirmed the use of CPOs is continuing on an upward trend in the Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross.
A report has also highlighted the increasing demand on pressured resources across the three council areas as criminal justice social work staff manage the burgeoning client list.
In Dundee the total CPO tally rocketed from 372 in 2011-12 to 655 in 2012-13, with a marginal increase in the 2013-14 figure.
Angus had a 47% increase from 192 in 2011-12 to 364 in 2012-13, with the 2013-14 figure rising to 384.
From 168 in 2011-12, Perth CPO figure escalated to 310 in 2012-13 and the total crept close to 400 in 2013-14.
Age and gender breakdowns have revealed that men and women aged 21 to 25 were most likely to receive a CPO from a sheriff.
Forfar councillor Glennis Middleton, one of the two Angus Council TCJA representatives said: “I think CPOs are working exceptionally well and sheriffs have been very much on board since they were introduced.
“Staff workloads have increased substantially but we have a skilled workforce and they should be recognised for making them the success that they are.”
TCJA strategic planning officer Karen Moir’s report said: “The observed trends should be read within the context of increasing demand on services due to the increasing numbers of CPOs being handed down by the court and increasing case complexity.
“Added to this, criminal justice social work services are now making full use of the LS-CMI (Level of Service/Case Management Inventory) risk assessment tool, which takes longer to use than its predecessors, and this has added further pressures on staff time.”