News

Justice Seen Justice Done

8th Apr, 2009 to 24th Apr, 2009

PUBLIC “HAVE THEIR SAY� ON HOW CRIMINALS PAYBACK IN WARWICKSHIRE

A new campaign that explains how the public can have their say on the work offenders carry out on Community Payback is being launched today in Warwickshire by Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (30 March). This follows the launch of branded high visibility jackets for offenders on Community Payback in December last year.

The scheme will be promoted in local newspapers and on local radio and explains how throughout the country including Warwickshire the public can suggest projects offenders should undertake throughout the year. These could include renovating community centres, clearing undergrowth and cleaning off graffiti for local communities.

Every year over 55,000 criminals receive Community Payback – carrying out over six million hours of free work on behalf of their communities to payback for their crimes. However, more often than not the public do not know about it or know that they can have a say on what offenders do.

A poll of 1,000 people conducted by MORI in November 2008 and published today found: 

• 74% have not heard of Community Payback in their local area;
• Only around 5% of people know that schemes can be nominated
• The public prefer offenders to be undertaking outdoor manual work as Community Payback – their top preferences were cleaning streets (57%) and removing graffiti (44%).

Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw said:

“It’s crucial that the public - the taxpayer - has a say in what community punishments offenders receive. People have a right to know what offenders are doing in their neighbourhood to repay for the wrongs committed.

 â€œWe are determined to open up the justice system. Recent steps to do this include the appointment of a dedicated Victims Champion, giving distinctive orange jackets to offenders and now ensuring the public knows they have a say in punishing offenders.â€?

Branded high-visibility jackets were launched in December last year for offenders to wear whilst carrying out work on Community Payback. The roll-out of the new jackets across England and Wales built on a recommendation from Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey’s review, 'Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime', published in June last year outlining the importance of Justice seen, Justice done.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:

�It is vital that the public see that we are taking action to tackle the crimes that concern them most. Justice must be seen to be done.

“Community Payback is an important part of that process. By making it possible for the public to have their say on which projects offenders should carry out in their communities we are showing that we are on the side of the law abiding majority and not the offenders.�

Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey said:

“The public want to know that criminals are made to pay back for their crimes. Community Payback schemes make this a reality and, very importantly, they also now give the public a say in what criminals must actually do to serve their punishment and pay back to local communities.�

Courts are now able to hand out tougher and more intense penalties for a range of offenders who are ordered to carry out work in the community.

To suggest projects across Probation areas in England and Wales go to: www.direct.gov/CommunityPayback.

Louise Casey’s 'Engaging communities in fighting crime' review can be found at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/crime.aspx

A copy of the full MORI poll can be obtained from the Ministry of Justice Press Office – details below.

If media require more information please contact the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 33 34 35 36