Public in Yorkshire and Humberside to have say in how young offenders are punished

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 convicted of offending should be held to account for their crimes. The scheme aims to help offenders understand the impact their actions have had on local communities.

The scheme has been developed by the Youth Justice Board of England and Wales and is being launched in Yorkshire and Humberside before being rolled out nationally.

Making Good calls on the public to suggest reparation work they would like to see carried out in their area by visiting the Making Good website. Suggestions will be welcome until June 18 2010.

All reparation work is unpaid and will be overseen by the local Youth Offending Team.

Ideas for work might range from litter picking, to clearing public spaces to decorating community centres or helping with local charitable groups. Suggestions for work must be meaningful and beneficial to the local community and to young offenders and not take paid work away from others. Work should be of a not-for-profit nature.