This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/8385767.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Public vote on youth punishments | Public vote on youth punishments |
(about 2 hours later) | |
People are being given the chance to vote for how young offenders in the north west of England are punished. | People are being given the chance to vote for how young offenders in the north west of England are punished. |
A government website has been set up allowing users to suggest punishments for criminals aged between 10 and 17. | A government website has been set up allowing users to suggest punishments for criminals aged between 10 and 17. |
Voters can choose from tasks including cleaning graffiti, repairing vandalism, working in libraries and charity work. | Voters can choose from tasks including cleaning graffiti, repairing vandalism, working in libraries and charity work. |
The work can be ordered under new Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YROs), which ministers say give magistrates "smarter punishment" options. | |
The pilot Making Good scheme is being launched in Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester - but it could go nationwide in 2010. | The pilot Making Good scheme is being launched in Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester - but it could go nationwide in 2010. |
'Repairing harm' | |
Frances Done, Youth Justice Board chair, said: "For the first time local people are being asked for specific ideas for community reparation which will benefit both their local area and the young person carrying out the work. | Frances Done, Youth Justice Board chair, said: "For the first time local people are being asked for specific ideas for community reparation which will benefit both their local area and the young person carrying out the work. |
"Reparation work is vital in helping the young person understand the consequences of his or her actions while repairing the harm caused by their offence." | "Reparation work is vital in helping the young person understand the consequences of his or her actions while repairing the harm caused by their offence." |
Youth reoffending teams taking part are in Blackburn, Blackpool, Bury, Halton, Warrington, Knowsley, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, St Helens, Salford, Sefton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan and Wirral. | |
The government's new YROs were launched on Monday, giving magistrates more options to tailor punishments to the individual circumstances of the offender. | |
What we're doing is introducing a smarter and stronger system Jack Straw, Justice Secretary | |
Community work is one of a number of elements of YROs, which also include electronic monitoring, curfews and substance abuse programmes. | |
The Justice Secretary Jack Straw told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that the new system would be rigorous. | |
He said: "What we're doing is introducing a smarter and stronger system. | |
"It's a single order... the crown court judge or the youth justice magistrates can select a series of requirements in it. | |
"For example, a curfew, education attendant centres, drug treatment, drug testing. | |
"In certain cases, electronic monitoring - in other words tagging on a curfew. And right at the top end, intensive supervision and surveillance." |
Previous version
1
Next version