Crime and punishment

THEIR high-visibility jackets leave passers-by in no doubt as to what they’re there for.

But members of the public still believe Community Payback is a soft option handed out by the courts.

Reporter DAWN MARSDEN takes a closer look at the scheme to examine just how much of a punishment it really is.

OLDHAM’S Community Payback Unit delivers around 4,000 hours of work each month.

This can range from painting to litter-picking and gardening to clearing away fly-tipped waste.

Members of the public can suggest work to be carried out by those sentenced in a bid to give citizens confidence in the system and make them feel more involved.

Criteria for work carried out states that it must benefit the community, must not take paid work away from others and must not make a profit for anyone.

Nationally, in 2008/09, 62,000 offenders completed Community Payback undertaking more than eight million hours of work which, if paid at minimum wage, would be valued at £45 million.

Courts have the power to sentence offenders of certain crimes to do between 40 and 600 hours of unpaid work. Types of eligible crimes include driving while disqualified, shop lifting, fraud and minor drug offences.

The most recent project carried out in Oldham was at the Pakistani Community Centre in Marlborough Street, Glodwick, where a group of six offenders painted all the walls and doors.

Oldham supervisor Sean Taylor, who has held his post for 18 years, said: “Community Payback saves the taxpayer money as they are not having to fund someone’s stay in jail — it is more cost-effective.

“This way, offenders can give something back to the community and learn new skills which they can take away with them and use in the future.

“Members of the public do not always know who we are and are quite surprised when they they realise how hard the offenders are working.

“If the owners of the Pakistani Community Centre had to pay for the work we’ve done here it would have cost them thousands but because they contacted us they’ve only had to pay for the materials.”

Oldham placement manager Teresa Newton said: “Some offenders have never worked before so Community Payback can give them a real insight into the world of work and give them the drive to look for employment.”

One offender working at the Pakistani Community Centre, who did not want to be named, said: “I was sentenced to do Community Payback for burglary and driving offences.

“I have been to jail about eight times and I think this is much better than being stuck in a cell. At least I am putting something back into the community.

“I think the public should think Community Payback is a good thing because we are doing our bit and trying to improve things.”

Earlier this year, the so-called “Justice Seen, Justice Done” campaign was launched allowing the public to vote for projects they would most like to be undertaken. Oldham was one of 54 areas selected and residents were asked to pick their preferred scheme from a list of five.

The five projects were fly-tipping and overgrown shrubs in Glodwick, clearing rubbish in Failsworth, cutting back overgrowth in Coppice, clearing alleyways in Clarksfield and removing rubbish in Royton.

Royton was the winner and offenders began clearing up the site with work to start on the rest of the list as soon as possible.

Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Justice, said: “It is crucial that the public should have a say in the community punishments offenders receive and that they have a right to know what offenders are doing in their neighbourhood to repay for the wrongs committed.

Government crime and justice adviser Louise Casey, who headed a major review to tackle public confidence in the criminal justice system, added: “People want to know that criminals are being made to pay 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.

“Hopefully this will give people confidence that the system is on their side.

Visit www.communitypayback.com to nominate a project for offenders to work on.