|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Wakefield Youth Offending Team and the Youth Restorative Justice programme are working with BTCV to help transform the lives of many young offenders in the area and to help them build a better future. Locking up young criminals is often seen as the solution to youth crime, but in fact, most young people sent to prison go on to commit more crimes when they are released. Community-based projects such as this help to stop young people committing crime by tackling the causes of their offending and helping them integrate into society. The project provides repeat young offenders aged between 13 and 17 years with an opportunity to take part in practical conservation activities as well as essential support. Some of the offenders are places under intensive supervision orders, which means that they have to be accompanied at all times by staff from Wakefield Youth Offending team. They are all under 'reparation orders', which means that they have been convicted by the courts and instead of going to jail, they have to fulfil a quota of community service as part of their rehabilitation scheme. Benefits of this approach include reduced offending, drug dependency, improved their health and general mental well-being. There are also wider benefits to the local community, which include improving the quality of green space in the Wakefield area. The group is currently working on an area of land which will eventually be transformed into a nature reserve. Reparation orders are available for any juvenile (10-17 years old) who has been convicted of an offence. The idea is to prevent the young offender from committing further offences by confronting them with the consequences of their criminal behaviour, and allowing them to make some amends. This project provides 'diversionary activities' in the form of practical conservation work to prevent re-offending. This activity is also seen as an alternative punishment (of a community service type) than going to jail and meets current governmental policy. The project is now funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. It has been shown to be a vital part of the offenders' rehabilitation programme. BTCV is also building links on this work with substance abuse charities and has established partnerships with mental health charities. These groups work with people who benefit from environmental activities through increased general mental well-being and physical fitness. Many of the young offenders suffer from mental illness and Green Gym activities have demonstrated the impact of such activity on the improvement of health and well-being. All content copyright © 1986-2008 BTCV Ltd. Registered charity No. 261009 |
