Jack Straw opens new probation headquarters in Norfolk

Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw will officially open Norfolk Probation Area's new headquarters at Centenary House today. The building brings together staff from five separate sites in the city.

Jack Straw will also visit offenders working on a community payback project run in partnership with local enterprise 'Mow and Grow'. Launched in 2006, 'Mow and Grow' works with offenders on supervision at Norfolk Probation to offer gardening services to elderly and vulnerable people in some of the most deprived wards in the area.

Speaking at the visit, Jack Straw said:

'I'm pleased to be in Norfolk today opening the new probation headquarters at Centenary House and seeing the positive work being carried out by offenders on community payback. This type of partnership with "Mow and Grow" not only improves the quality of life for residents and reduces crime and antisocial behaviour in the local community, but it also offers valuable work experience and skills to offenders.

'Community punishments like unpaid work can be more productive than prison in getting offenders to address the causes of their criminality. Offenders sentenced to "pay" for their crimes within the community can already expect to work hard, with no pay and significant loss of free time. But the type of unpaid work that can be seen here today provides training for offenders that can lead to real employment opportunities and a reduction in reoffending.

'The public has a right to know what unpaid work offenders are doing in their area to pay back for the wrongs they committed. That's why we introduced the high-visibility jackets that offenders wear while working. Justice should not just be done but be seen to be done.'

Chief Officer at Norfolk Probation, Martin Graham said:

'Centenary House, which is a national flagship building for the Probation Service, allows us to undertake our work with offenders in 21st century facilities. We can now look forward to delivering a range of first class programmes and individual supervision for offenders.'


Notes to editors

1. Following findings from Louise Casey's review, branded high-visibility jackets must be worn by offenders carrying out work on community payback projects from 1 December 2008 as part of a government drive to ensure the public can see punishment being carried out in the community.

2. Louise Casey's review found that:

* 70% of the public believe offenders should be identifiable
* 79% of the public believe local people should be informed when community sentences for those committing crime or antisocial behaviour are made
* 79% of the public believe that the criminal justice system respects the rights of offenders and only 33% believe that it meets the needs of victims
* 88% of the public believe that community payback should involved demanding work
* 90% of the public believe that payback to community should be part of all punishments for crime.

3. The reoffending rate following a short custodial sentences is 59.7%. These short sentences can lead to problems with employment, housing and family relations and there is insufficient time to tackle the causes of the offender's behaviour. The reoffending rate following a community sentences is 37.9%.

4. Norfolk Probation area staff supervises 122,890 hours of unpaid work by offenders in local communities each year.

5. Norfolk Probation area is responsible for the supervision of approximately 2,600 offenders and employs around 300 members of staff.

6. 'Mow and Grow' works in partnership with Norfolk Probation to support the community payback programme by supervising offenders on unpaid work projects in Norwich and the surrounding areas.

7. For more information, please contact Leanne Boast, Norfolk Probation Communications Officer on: 01603 302 242 (9am to 5.30pm) or on the out-of-hours mobile: 07515 562 431.