Government is to fund a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering its arsenal in the war on crime.Among the new schemes are a pilot programme to treat mentally ill criminals and an initiative that targets young offenders at risk of getting caught up in gang crime.And it is hoped a Witness Care Unit will help put criminals behind bars by encouraging key witnesses to testify in court.At a Budget press conference yesterday, Attorney General Mark Pettingill said the Ministry of Legal Affairs was intent on "the efficient delivery of justice" — and that the initiatives would strengthen the Island's legal system.The Ministry has been given $27.37 million to oversee the running of the courts and to draft legislation.The Witness Care Unit has been granted $142,000 in order to provide information and support to victims and witnesses of crime.Mr Pettingill said that many criminal cases had gone cold because witnesses "are simply not prepared to come to court because they are afraid"."I don't know if there are a plethora of cases but there have certainly been a few that have not been able to proceed and so it's a significant issue," Mr Pettingill, a former defence attorney, said."The aim for 2013/14 is to increase victim impact statements and accelerate and enhance the support to victims and witnesses, thereby increasing their attendance at court.“In doing this, the Department of Public Prosecutions will increase successful prosecutions and criminal cases will not fail due to the reluctance of witnesses and victims to give their evidence fully."Mr Pettingill said that mentally ill patients were being let down by a "revolving door" legal system that often delivered punishment rather than treatment. As a result $29,000 has been set aside for the Mental Health Treatment Court programme which "will afford more therapeutic intervention and the reduction of recidivism for mentally ill offenders".The Victory programme will receive $85,000 aimed at "saving our young people and families"."The programme is a collaborative response to address intricate issues which face individuals and families with multifaceted issues in Bermuda, including gang matters, which are impacting on all of us in some way," Mr Pettingill said.Government will continue funding an electronic monitoring programme first introduced last year to keep tabs on offenders. $240,000 has been set aside for the scheme this year."This programme has proven to be an additional tool to effectively monitor offenders and is used by both the Ministry of legal Affairs and the Ministry of Safety," Mr Pettingill said.Victims of violent crime could be eligible for financial compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which has been allocated a budget of $437,000.And court security is to be beefed up to the tune of $485,000, which will pay for both physical and electronic security in Supreme and Magistrates' Courts. A security review is expected to be held this year.The Ministry will also provide $2.43 million in legal aid "to provide access to justice to persons who would not otherwise be able to afford legal representation"."The measures that have been detailed will further strengthen the administrative and legislative framework which underpins the Legal Affairs mandate," Mr Pettingill said."We will maintain our proactive approach and commitment to the implementation of effective measures aimed at addressing criminal activity and enhancing the administration of justice."