I write in response to Martin Kirby’s article in The Citizen on Monday 5th July to correct some of his comments about punishment in the community.
Run by Gloucestershire Probation Trust, Community Payback is a very affective and tough alternative to short term custody. Magistrates in Gloucestershire imposed 50,000 hours of Unpaid Work in the community. Offenders on the scheme are sentenced up to 300 hours of Unpaid Work and they are prison rather than ”grafting” on a Community Payback Project. It is also worth noting that Mr Kirby’s suggestion of wearing fluorescent vests has actually been in operation since 2008. Offenders on required to work on a wide range of projects suggested by the community, via our website. They do in fact clean graffiti off walls, build school playgrounds, run a lunch club for the elderly and renovate many local amenities. It is hard work and it is not unheard of for offenders to say they would rather be back in projects wear orange high-viz vests, clearly labelled Community Payback.
In terms of effectiveness Community Payback is significantly more successful in reducing re-offending compared with short term prison sentences. Whilst at least 60% of short term prisoners return to prison within 12 months, only 11% of those who have been on Community Payback return to our books.
We welcome suggestions for future projects which can be easily made by contacting 01452 551200 or via the nominations section on our website, www.glosprobation.org.uk. I finally invite Mr Kirby to come and see for himself the work we do for the Community.
Yours sincerely
John Bensted
Chief Executive Officer
Gloucestershire Probation Trust
