Public have their say on how criminals payback

30 March 2009

A new campaign that explains how the public can have their say on the work offenders carry out on Community Payback was launched today by Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

This follows the launch of branded high-visibility jackets for offenders on Community Payback in December last year.

In 54 Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas across the country, the public will for the first time be able to vote through Directgov on what physical work offenders should carry out. The guarantee is that the scheme receiving the most votes will be undertaken first by offenders carrying out Community Payback, representing a real and distinct choice for the public.

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

Giving the public a say on Community Payback is the next stage in the government's Justice Seen, Justice Done campaign launched earlier this month to address public concerns about crime and justice.

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.

'We 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.'

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.

Notes to editors

1 To vote on the priority of projects in pioneer areas and suggest projects across probation areas in England and Wales go to: Directgov. Voting closes on 24 April 2009. The winning projects will be announced in June.

2. Louise Casey's review on Engaging communities in fighting crime.

3. Every year over 55,000 criminals receive Community Payback – carrying out over six million hours of physical unpaid work on behalf of their communities to payback for their crimes. However, more often than not the public have told us they do not know about it or know how 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%).

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

4. Areas were invited to bid to become Pioneer Areas on the basis of a variety of data including deprivation, population size and crime information. However, equally important in agreeing bids was their determination to work with local communities to address local concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour and justice.

5. Funding of £6.8 million is available to support the Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas in 2008/09 and 2009/10.

6. The Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas are: