Roger Hill, Director of Probation, visited Durham today to discuss Enhanced Community Punishment and to visit a successful local project. Offenders from County Durham assisted with a 3 month renovation at Bearpark Community Centre.
A COMMUNITY centre which has just completed a three-month renovation has just held a celebration to thank the young offenders who had carried out the work. Bearpark Community Centre, on the outskirts of Durham City, has been redecorated with help from the Probation Service.
More than 40 offenders from across County Durham undertook the 800 hours of work as part of community punishment orders imposed by the courts.
Barbara Sewell, chairperson of the Bearpark Community Centre, said: "Working with County Durham Probation Service has been a a positive experience and we are very grateful as without there help the work could not have been done due to cost implications."
In the North East last year, offenders completed more than 200,000 hours of unpaid work. Pam McPhee, Chief Officer of County Durham Probation Service, said offenders were punished and also had the opportunity to learn new skills to help make them less likely to re-offend and they also put something back into the community.
THE organisation which finds community work for young offenders is looking for tasks to be carried out around County Durham. Last year, young people in the county carried out 4000 hours of work in the community, including painting, decorating and renovation projects, after being ordered to do so by the courts. The work is supervised by County Durham Youth Engagement Service, which is now looking for community organisations that could benefit from the work which is carried out.
Debbie Cooper, restorative justice manager for the service, said: "There are no labour costs and all work is carried out to a good standard. The work must be for not-for-profit organisations and we are now urgently looking for new indoor sites for the winter months."
Organisations needing work should call James Firn on (01833) 776 685.
