Community Sentencing- Reducing re-offending, changing lives

 "Tough community sentences have a real impact on reducing crime and preventing offenders from re-offending. It costs around £37,000 to lock an offender up for a year.  But it isn’t always the most effective way of dealing with an offender." Government Minister David Hanson said today. 

He was launching a new report outlining the impact of strong community punishments.  The report  ‘Community Sentencing - Reducing re-offending, changing lives’ highlights the value of community orders, which in many cases are more effective in cutting re-offending than short-term prison sentences.  Community Sentences can include intensive punishment and tight restrictions on freedom and combine with a close focus on rehabilitation and making reparation to the local community. 

In Derbyshire, over 2,000 offenders are given community orders each year, under the supervision of Derbyshire Probation Service.  Many of them combining with other requirements placed on the offender by the court.  Derbyshire Probation Area runs various structured programmes aimed at changing the way offenders think in order to challenge and change their behaviour.  These include dealing with drug or alcohol abuse and tackling domestic violence and drink driving.   

Derbyshire Probation Area works closely with Community Safety Partnerships, councils, churches, schools and local community organisations to ensure that not only do offenders undertake challenging work projects, but that those projects result in improvements to the local environment and the creation of facilities and resources that benefit the community.   

Denise White, Chief Officer for Derbyshire Probation said: "We welcome this report which endorses the work we carry out in the community and its value in ensuring our continued success in reducing re-offending – one of our key priorities.  Our rigorous enforcement of the orders made by the courts ensures that community sentences are both tough and effective and result in a safer Derbyshire." 

--------