Community-Centred Justice: A Path to Safer, Stronger Communities

Community centred solutions for recovery and rehabilitation have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness. We appreciate the recognition of this approach in David Gauke’s Sentencing Review, released today.

The Review rightly addresses the challenges of emergency release, which our residents often describe as a setup for failure, and underscores the importance of justice systems rooted in community-based methods.

This requires appropriate community systems, including probation services sufficiently resourced and equipped to safeguard and implement the requirements of community sentences. Today the justice secretary committed to a 45% additional increase in probation funding.

But crucially, to move from punishment to prevention, the sentencing review rightly states: ‘The overwhelming consensus from the evidence the Review has gathered is that rehabilitative support in the community is, in many cases, the most effective way to reduce reoffending.’

The VCSE sector offers a unique solution for engaging those in contact with the criminal justice system for integrated and tailored support for rehabilitation. At Social Interest Group (SIG), We work with multiple agencies to ensure we support those who have offended to have every opportunity to develop the skills and behaviours that prevent reoffending.

We are also committed to methods that enable our residents and participants to change the trajectory of their lives and move towards a reformed way of living, break free from past cycles and pursue a more positive, structured lifestyle.

This changes people’s lives and create safer communities. We eagerly await the government’s comprehensive spending review to move the sentencing review from recommendations into reality. Investment into community sentencing, support and rehabilitation for prisoners and victims will be rewarded by a sustainable criminal justice system.

As an organisation that strives to support people out of prison and into lives offering a different future, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with David Gauke to share more about the work of SIG and to explore opportunities of supporting the outcomes from the independent review of prison sentences.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Social Interest Group. Any content our bloggers or authors provide is their opinion and is written to promote discussion and raise awareness of topics.