Public To Decide On Youth Punishment

Communities in Yorkshire and Humberside affected by crime are to get a say in how young people who offend are punished.

'Making Good' gives local people the chance to have their say on how young people should be held to account for their crimes and helps offenders understand the impact their actions have had on the community.

The first of its kind scheme, developed by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB), is being launched in Yorkshire and Humberside today as part of a national roll out.

The scheme calls on the public to suggest reparation work they would like to see carried out in their area by visiting the Making Good page of the YJB website.

Justice Minister Maria Eagle said Making Good forms a key part of the government's new stronger youth sentencing system.

"We are making good progress with fewer young people entering the criminal justice system in the first place," she said.

"I am pleased local communities in Yorkshire and Humberside will now have the opportunity to help build on this success."

Chair of the YJB, Frances Done encourage the community to visit the Making Good website and said she looked forward to receiving their ideas.

"This is your opportunity to get young people to invest their time and energy into worthwhile projects that benefit the community."

A wide variety of reparation work is already being undertaken in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

All reparation work is unpaid and is overseen by the youth offending team. Ideas for work might range from clearing public spaces to decorating community centres or helping with local charitable groups.

Public suggestions will be considered and implemented where practically possible by 14 youth offending teams across Yorkshire and Humber including in Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield.

(PR/GK)