Young Offenders Should Help Clean Up Our City
February 6, 2014
Yesterday in Parliament, Julian Sturdy raised the rehabilitation of young offenders and the importance of equipping them with the necessary skills to “avoid a life of crime”.
The MP for York Outer went on to say: ”Last year the York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust community payback team joined forces with local residents to carry out a city wide spring clean in York. Graffiti was painted over, broken fences fixed, and public spaces brought back to life.
“Will the Minister join me in encouraging more initiatives of that kind, which provide young offenders not only with valuable skills, but also a sense of community responsibility?”
In his response, the Prisons and Rehabilitation Minister, Jeremy Wright MP, explained that “The Government will introduce a new pathfinder secure college in 2017, which will equip young offenders with the skills and qualifications they need to pursue a life free from crime. We are also enhancing education provision in young offenders institutions, and taking steps to improve the resettlement of young people leaving custody.”
The Minister elaborated further, agreeing with Julian that “where the court deems it appropriate, offenders young and old should be engaged in putting something back into the communities they have damaged by their offending. I also think it important that communities see that happening.”
