Restorative justice (Community Payback) provides young people with the opportunity to make amends (reparation) to the community for their offending. The scheme enables young offenders to undertake a positive or constructive activity within the community under the supervision of the Youth Offending Service

Community Payback activities take place in schools, youth centres, community centres and other charitable or community run organisations. The scheme enables young people to address offending; be aware of the consequences of their offending; and importantly, to increase awareness of the impact their behaviour has had on their families, the victim and the community.

It also teaches a number of skills, including communication skills, team working, decision making and consideration of others.

A number of our projects are restoration and conservation projects.

The type of schemes which are run are offence specific, conservation scheme (painting, decorating, gardening), life skills, and working with the community (work with schools and churches). See young people taking part in Community Payback here >>

St. Cuthbert’s Parochial Church

In November 2007 the Church Warden from St. Cuthbert’s Parochial Church, East Rainton contacted Sunderland Youth Offending Service after hearing about the young people from the YOS and the reparation schemes they have carried out throughout the city of Sunderland. After initial contact was made and risk assessments carried out it was agreed that Sunderland Youth Offending Service would paint and decorate the communal hall in preparation for the Christmas festivities. This was completed by the agreed deadline date and the young people who took part received a letter of thanks of appreciation for the work completed.

Graffiti Removal Extension Road, East Hendon

Sunderland Youth Offending Service working in conjunction with multi-agency work force Street Pride completed the removal of the graffiti stained wall in East Hendon this was completed over a number of weeks by the young people who had previously committed criminal damage offences. It was recognised that by getting young people who cause criminal damage throughout the City to remove the graffiti as this would put something back into the community which they live.

Award winning recycling project

Sunderland Youth Offending Service Restorative Justice team as part of their Community Payback initiative works with young people in their local communities; giving them an opportunity to make amends for their behaviour. As a result of recent positive publicity, links have been forged with ‘Alex Smiles’, a local recycling and waste management company to offer a short educational programme, and recycling plant visit to a group of young people working on community payback. This constitutes the start of a year long programme with regular education sessions about recycling.

Big Wins for Recycling

We reported in the last newsletter that Sunderland Youth Offending Service Restorative Justice Programme had been active in supporting the national ‘Big Recycle’ week. We have since learned that our efforts have earned us first place in the Regional Monitor Excellence Awards for Recycling Initiative of the Year! Thanks go out to the Restorative Justice Team and our partner in recycling, Alex Smiles Recycling Plant.