A New Form of Community Service Comes to Hackney
Posted by Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, at 14:48, Thu 9 April 2009:
Community service has existed for decades but in recent years has been re-branded as “community payback” to emphasise the role offenders are playing in giving back to the community they committed a crime against. Last year it was announced that offenders on Community Payback duties had to wear bright vests identifying them as Community Payback workers. The vests were introduced both as an attempt to increase the punishment – by making it embarrassing to be doing community service – and to highlight the work that offenders were achieving in the community.
The latest part of the scheme is to allow residents in certain Boroughs the chance to vote on what area they would like to see receive a make-over by Community Payback offenders. In Hackney there is a choice of five hotspots: Bentley Road car park; River Lea towpath; Martel Place junction with Dalston Lane; Wells Street Market; and Hoxton Street Market.
The scheme is well regulated so that only those offenders who have been vetted by the Probation Service are able to take part. The Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Probation Service and Hackney Police and the Council are all very positive about the project. They believe that “justice seen” is “justice done” and that residents have the right to have their say on what punishment offenders receive. They argue that offenders should have to give back to the community to make up for their crimes.
However, objections to the scheme have been raised. Some people are saying that it is unfair to draw attention to offenders undertaking community work in such a way. They argue that doing the work is the real punishment, not having members of the public able to see them doing it. Others are saying that the scheme is leaving offenders open to vigilante attacks. And it has also been argued that rather than improving community relations by giving members of the public a say, the Community Payback scheme is just a publicity stunt.
I am very interested to know what readers think of the Community Payback scheme – does it make Hackney residents feel part of the criminal justice system?
Comments
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Posted by Andrew Senior, 15:09, Thu 9 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Being made to feel embarrassed and ashamed of what they have done. Would it make an offender think harder before committing another crime or would it make them feel even more outcast and angrier and so more likely to offend? I am not sure.
I feel the important thing is that the offender is made to feel some pride at doing something positive for the community instead of taking away from it, rather than the community simply being able to feel like they are seeing punishment carried out, if that is the main aim we may as well reintroduce stocks and throw rotten fruit and vegetables.
Posted by Nick Pahl, 15:09, Thu 9 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Diane,
Thanks for the email alert. I'm not particularly fussed over the use of bright vests or not - as long as the work is done. I think we all agree there are many areas around Hackney that could use attention.
Although one would hope the scheme is being monitored for any instances of vigilate abuse or violence.
I do support strongly however the role of community input to determine where the community payback is being applied. Where do we vote / provide input into this process?
Nick
Posted by John Callon, 15:23, Thu 9 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Community Service is the better name and sets the right tone.
The name "Community Payback" and making offenders wear yellow jackets IS a political stunt and has no place in the criminal justice system. It is like having public tours around prisons so the public can see the prisoners in their cells. (I don't think Jack Straw would support that but I'm not sure about Jacqui Smith.)
I agree with Andrew (above) in that offenders should feel some pride in the positive contribution they are making to the community.
I was involved in a similar scheme in NZ many years ago, and the opportunity for offenders to work on community projects with ordinary people from that community seemed to me to be one of its strengths. It built relationships and in the end it is positive relationships that effect the change in offenders.
So I am saying revert to the original name, away with the identifying symbols, have offenders work with local residents on projects, have local residents suggest projects.
Posted by Sahar, 15:43, Thu 9 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I'd like to second what another person says here, "Payback" is a harsh word..whereas I think the logo "Community Service" or similar will help the offenders feel positive about the work they do, plus they will not be faced with vigilantee attacks.
At the end of the day, if all this helps the community while changing the mindset of the offender, then thats a good job done.
Posted by Ferdinand Dennis, 17:31, Thu 9 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
It smacks of a publicity stunt, especially as the vetting criteria remain unclear.
Criminal offenders are punished with fines, imprisonment, a criminal record which adversely affects their employment opportunities, and community service. Exposing them to the dangers of vigilante action is cruel, unnecessary and reactionary. What next? Public stoning sessions?
This latest initiative is part of a worrying shift away from schemes designed to rehabilitate offenders towards those aimed at increasing punishment. It ought to be opposed.
Ferdinand Dennis
Posted by Brice Bedos, 19:51, Thu 9 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
"Payback" definitely sends out the wrong message to the community. Public naming, shaming and humiliation...are we reverting back to the middle ages? Is this really the way forward? Who in their right mind comes up with such schemes in our day and age!
Posted by Francis McDonagh, 16:34, Fri 10 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I am not in favour of bright vests. I don't think we should add public humiliation to the punishment of doing the work. As someone else commented, we don't open prisons for public viewing like zoos, so why single out less serious offenders for possible ridicule?
I agree with Sahar that 'Community Service' is a better name for the scheme.
Posted by Daniel Gaze, 18:35, Mon 13 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I agree with most of these posts. Everyone knows what community service is, calling it 'community payback' is patronising to the public and the offenders. Fluorescent vests are also a terrible idea. This sounds disturbingly like an idea for a 'reality' TV show. GET REAL!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Diane Abbott, 10:48, Wed 15 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
For readers information, you can vote on the community payback scheme in Hackney at: http://communitypayback.direct.gov.uk/london/hackney Lots of interesting comments so far, keep them coming! Diane
Posted by Vivienne limmer, 10:21, Fri 17 April 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
It is a good idea to get minor criminals to give something back to the community, as long as it is not used as a punishment for violent crimes or sex offenders. These types of offences need to be tackled seriously, and the persons in question need to be incaserated for everyones safety.