News from Southampton Labour

Southampton, Community Payback and “justice seen, justice done”

A new scheme giving communities a greater say in how criminals pay back their debts to society has been welcomed by Southampton Itchen Labour MP John Denham.

The plan means that the public can use the internet to choose the sorts of tough physical labour offenders on community sentences should have to do.

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

Local people in Southampton will be able to vote or make suggestions via the direct.gov website communitypayback.direct.gov.uk. These include sites in Weston, Harefield and the Flower Estate.

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 voting process 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.

John Denham said:

“This is a very welcome scheme. I have argued for several years that offenders should be visible when they are working in the community.

“It is important that the public see that we are taking action to tackle the crimes that concern them most. Justice must be seen to be done. It is vital that local people have a say in how offenders pay back their debts to society. This will really help the people of Southampton to do that.

“In addition to the schemes on the DirectGov website, I am also talking to the local Probation Service about repainting the lightship in Ocean Village and I hope that the service will make a decision on this later this week.

“Labour has cut crime by a third since 1997 and has increased prison sentences and toughened up community sentences. This is a further step forward – giving the people of Southampton a direct say in how the justice system works for them.”

Labour’s Justice Secretary 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 orange 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.
 
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.

Other news from Southampton Labour

• We must keep investing to help everyone back into work – Labour MPs - 10 March 2010
• Alan Whitehead MP calls for support for hardworking carers - 8 March 2010
• Whitehead pledges to continue the fight against fuel poverty - 8 March 2010