Victims of the severe flood damage in Cumbria are getting additional help to rebuild their lives from offenders on a Community Payback sentence.
Offenders in Workington and Cockermouth, supervised by Cumbria Probation Service, are being made to pay back to the community by undertaking hard physical work to repair damage caused by November’s devastating floods.
The offenders are clearing away parts of a broken wooden footbridge and other flood debris from Cockermouth Memorial Gardens, and in Workington they are clearing allotments so the area can once again be used by the local community.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said:
‘This is essential work which has my full support. It is vital we do not forget the damage caused by the floods last November. While many of us have enjoyed the start of a New Year, the people in Cumbria are still living with the effects of this devastating damage.
‘The work I am making offenders carry out in Cumbria is not only a tough punishment but a chance for the offenders to give something back to the communities they have wronged in the past. The high visibility orange jackets I introduced for offenders a year ago also ensure that the public can see the work being carried out.
‘People want to know that criminals are making reparation for their crimes and Community Payback schemes, such as this work in Workington, make this a reality. And importantly, Community Payback also now gives the public a say in what criminals must actually do to serve their punishment.’
The scheme has been developed as a result of working in close partnership with Cumbria Probation Service, Cumbria Constabulary and the local authority. Other work carried out by offenders on Community Payback in Cumbria following the floods includes; working with ‘Impact Housing’ helping to rehouse affected people and moving silt at Fitz Park in Keswick which was flooded when Derwentwater broke its banks.
Chief Officer of Cumbria Probation Annette Hennessy said:
‘I am pleased that Community Payback is playing a significant role in repairing the damage caused by the floods. This is another excellent example of how Cumbria Probation is able to support communities in Cumbria through offenders working on Community Payback projects.’
Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson, police commander for West Cumbria said:
‘Many parts of Workington and Cockermouth were devastated during the floods and areas like the allotments and the Memorial Gardens have been virtually unusable ever since. So we have assisted our partners in developing this scheme which means offenders will help to rebuild these areas and put something back into the communities they have wronged. This work means offenders will be improving the quality of life for local people and it is something we are pleased to be part of.’
Councillor Sam Standage, Allerdale Borough Council’s Executive member with responsibility for refuse collection and green spaces, said:
‘We are proud to be part of this joint initiative to tidy up the areas around Workington’s Hall Park and Cockermouth’s Memorial Gardens. Getting offenders on the Community Payback Scheme to contribute to the clean up is a worthwhile way for them to do something good for the local community. It will also save the council tax payer the expense by reducing the costs involved in the clean up of this debris. Allerdale Borough Council is supporting the clean up effort by taking away the bulk of rubbish which is collected, either by skip or by refuse lorry.’
Community Payback is a tough punishment for offenders and gets them to make reparation for their crimes. The introduction of high-vis orange jackets in December 2008 ensures that the public can see that justice is being done and that offenders are making amends for their crimes in the community.
Notes to editors
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To suggest projects for offenders across Probation areas in England and Wales visit Directgov.
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Community Payback jackets are worn at projects visible to the public. Last year (2008/09) over 62,000 offenders completed Community Payback and over eight million hours of work was undertaken.
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The rate of reoffending by offenders following a short custodial sentences is 59.9%. These short sentences can lead to problems with employment, housing and family relations and there is insufficient time to tackle the causes of the offender's behaviour. The reoffending rate following a community sentences is 36.1%. That is why we want to see greater use made of the best community sentences which for some offenders could be more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences.
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