"Ministers are pushing through powers to photograph, name and shame offenders who have been ordered to complete unpaid community work in England and Wales. The sentencing bill, now moving through parliament, will for the first time give probation officers a legal power to take and publish the names and pictures of individuals ordered by courts to tidy grass verges, litter-pick or scrub graffiti."
"I am very concerned about seeking to name and shame people undertaking unpaid work. I think it could act as a disincentive to rehabilitation and some may refuse to turn up. If offenders are turning up to do the work I do not see a reason why they should also have their images published, particularly when the evidence shows that reintegration back into communities and employment are key to preventing reoffending."
"This proposed policy serves no value to the rehabilitation of offenders but could have potentially devastating effects on innocent family members, namely children. It seems to only serve as a form of humiliation, not just for the offender but those around them. It also could potentially place people on unpaid work at risk, especially if it involves those that commit sexual offending."
Ministers are introducing powers to photograph, name and shame offenders ordered to complete unpaid community work in England and Wales. The sentencing bill will grant probation officers authority to take and publish names and pictures of people ordered to tidy verges, litter-pick or scrub graffiti. Critics warn the measure could humiliate offenders' partners and children and deter participation in unpaid work. HM inspector of probation expressed concern that naming and shaming could disincentivize rehabilitation and increase dropouts. The probation officers' union warned of devastating effects on innocent family members and potential safety risks. The government plans to expand community payback as an alternative to custody.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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