Press release: Making Community Payback count

Public to vote on 5 Thanet projects:

A new scheme giving communities a greater say in how criminals pay back their debts to society has been welcomed by South Thanet Labour MP, Stephen Ladyman. The plan means that the public in Thanet can use the internet to choose the sorts of tough physical labour offenders on community sentences should have to do.

Because Thanet is pioneering the scheme, Thanet people are able to vote or make suggestions via the direct.gov website and can choose between five local projects. Voting is open until April 24th.

The web site is: http://communitypayback.direct.gov.uk/

The scheme receiving the most votes will be undertaken first by offenders carrying out Community Payback.

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.

Stephen said:

"This is a very welcome scheme. It is vital that local people have a say in how offenders pay back their debts to society.

"Here in Thanet we have an opportunity to test a scheme that is being pioneered in only a few areas of the country.

"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 local people 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.

Note to editors:

The five Thanet schemes that people can vote on are:

Broadstairs and St Peters Churchyard

An extensive ‘deep clean’ by offenders is needed to remove the litter, fly tipping and graffiti. There are many older people in this area and its current state of neglect has lead to a fear of crime.

Dane Valley Neighbourhood

There is a general state of disrepair in this neighbourhood. Graffiti is particularly rife along with fly tipping and vandalised public spaces. The children’s play park needs an extensive clean by offenders.

Newington Neighbourhood

This area is being slowly reclaimed by the local community but more needs to be done. Offenders will remove litter and abandoned furniture as well as graffiti.

Northdown Park, Cliftonville

This well used and popular park is blighted by litter and graffiti. Offenders already commit some time to this area but more hours would help to improve the open space for all that use it.

Dane Park, Margate

This park has seen a vast improvement over the past 3-4 years with new equipment, CCTV and landscaping. Offenders will see this park and its improvements maintained to a high standard.

Voting ends on 24 April 2009 at midnight. The winner will be announced in early June.