Recruitment drive for ex-offenders to pay back for their crimes.

Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, visited Birmingham this week to see offenders making improvements to a popular tow path set to be used by thousands of visitors to this summer's Commonwealth Games. The work is the outcome of a national partnership between the Probation Service and Canal & River Trust which sees offenders clearing litter, tidying tow paths, and cutting back nettles across some of England and Wales' 2,000 miles of water ways and canals. On this stretch of canal, offenders completed more than 15,000 hours of unpaid work during 2021 as part of a number of national partnerships set to be agreed between the Probation Service and other major organisations.

The 93 million pound move is set to see more focus on outdoor projects, such as picking litter from roadsides and scrubbing graffiti from subways, helping to improve the environment and allowing the public to see justice being done.

Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, Dominic Raab MP said "This extra investment will make sure even more offenders undertake tough, visible work to repay the damage they have caused to society" He added "Our new recruits will become part of the unsung army of local champions who are helping tackle anti-social behavior and making our streets safer by supervising offenders engaging in community payback schemes"

The Deputy Prime Minister met with the Canal & River Trust's Chief Executive Richard Parry to see offenders working on a stretch of tow path along a popular route to Alexander Stadium Richard said "We're very pleased to be a key partner in the Government's drive to deliver community improvements by offenders" He added "Working alongside trust colleagues, offenders are learning new skills and improving their prospect of employment whilst helping to care for our canals and make them attractive places for local people to enjoy"

Priti Patel, Home Secretary, has made it abundantly clear that she plans to fully back the scheme. She said "The public want to see justice done and criminals pay the price for their crimes. They want to see ex-offenders pay back to the communities they've blighted by their thoughtless actions" She added "It has worked very well so far, so we are going to expand these schemes to an additional eight local authorities.

Applications are now open for over 500 new vacancies in Community Payback roles. The work plays a crucial role in delivering this punishment, improving local communities and steering offenders away from crime.

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