This is tougher than prison

MORE than 600,000 hours of Community Payback — equivalent to £3.7million in free labour — are completed every year by more than 6,400 offenders. As the service marks its 40th anniversary nationally, ANDREW RUDKIN meets offenders.
“THIS is a much tougher punishment than prison,” said one Oldham offender, sprucing up a graveyard as part of his community service.

Pete, from Oldham, part way through the 100 hours ordered by the courts, spoke of his “hard day’s graft” as he shovelled mud at Saddleworth Cemetery in Uppermill.

He said: “Prison is like a holiday camp compared to this. It’s been 20 years since I was in prison and it was quite tough then, but I’ve heard it’s like being at home now, but without your freedom.

“Community Payback is good for rehabilitation and it certainly makes you think about ever committing a crime again.”

Adam (20), sentenced to 240 hours for drug dealing, has around 60 hours still to go. Both he and Jay (37), ordered to serve 80 hours for assault, claim prison would be an “easy way out”, while the community punishment can help them with their future.

Jay said: “As well as helping out the community, I can also put this on my CV as ground work.”

Adam added: “Instead of being in prison this is a proper day’s work and hard graft.

“Through this I can get a REGAIN qualification (similar to a NVQ qualification) which can help me seek employment.”

Community Service, as it was originally called, was introduced across England and Wales by the 1970 Wootton Report on alternatives to prison.

Over the years thousands of offenders have picked up litter, cleared brambles, painted fences and scrubbed off graffiti to make their communities a better place to live. Offenders can be ordered to work between 40 and 300 hours.

Magistrates have consistently supported the service as it is a punishment visible to the community.

And as the prison population spirals, Community Payback is seen as a tough alternative.

From December 2008, offenders have been made to wear fluorescent orange jackets with Community Payback stamped across the back.

Paul (31), from Oldham, serving 180 hours for drink driving, admits he had got a bit lazy before his conviction.

He said: “This has given me a kick up the backside to try and get a job once this is done.”

Lily Hopkins, St Chad’s Church secretary, is the current beneficiary of the service as the offenders are working on the graves of people who do not have families to tend them.

She said: “They are doing a fantastic job tidying up and clearing overgrown paths. We don’t have the manpower or the money to do it ourselves.

“We have never had a problem with the workers. I think it is a great idea and would recommend them to other organisations.”

Steve O’Neill, Community Payback area manager, believes it is a way for the offender to make amends, adding: “For some offenders, it offers an invaluable insight into work and helps improve employment related skills. Many community groups also depend on the work.”