Criminals work from home

An inspectors report has revealed probation officers have allowed criminals to work from home making face masks to complete their community sentences.

 

In a mission to clear the backlog of unfinished community work built up during the pandemic, offenders have been allowed to work remotely on activities such as making greeting cards and face masks.

 

According to the report, the "innovative" work from home approach for criminals unable to attend physical payback schemes have been more successful than previous schemes. As such the criminal justice system plans to extend this approach, post-pandemic.

 

As part of the multi-million pound clean up scheme, external community services include removing graffiti from public buildings, walls and bridges and clearing rubbish from open public spaces. Boris Johnson, the current Prime Minister, demanded the offenders wear "fluorescent-jackets" whilst working in public, in an attempt to show justice is being served. 

 

Community service sentences ordered by the court are often handed out for 'less serious' offences, with offenders having up to 300 hours of work to complete. Examples being, theft, burglaries, shoplifting and low-level assaults. 

 

Community payback schemes were paused during the pandemic, which caused a backlog of thousands of hours of uncomplete work by offenders. 

 

The inspectors who oversee prison, probation, and the police said: "A group of community rehabilitation companies in the south of England, for example, developed an unpaid work 'project in a box', which could be sent to individuals who were shielding at home or could otherwise not attend external sites."

 

Current projects include making face coverings and greeting cards to strict industry standards, with the proceeds going to charity. The Probation Service has seemingly adopted this idea and will deploy it when individuals meet the qualifying criteria.