Community Justice Wales
Wales' First Community Justice Court Arrives in Merthyr Tydfil
Community Justice is about encouraging local people at the heart of a community to become directly involved in the delivery of justice in their area. This is achieved through a working partnership with a range of Criminal Justice agencies, support services, voluntary organisations and community groups to solve the problems caused by offending in the Merthyr Tydfil area.
The key elements to Community Justice:
1. Community Engagement
Understanding the views of the community so that the work of the court reflects their priorities, and offenders are held to account. Helping people to have a better understanding of criminal justice.
2. Robust and Speedy Court
Effective action in the courtroom for simpler, faster processes and faster justice.
3. Problem-solving
Working together with the community to solve the problems that cause crime e.g. through access to drug and alcohol services.
4. Repairing Harm
Offenders sentenced by the court will pay back for the harm they have caused e.g. by working for the benefit of the community.
5. Community Involvement
Encouraging people to become involved in the delivery of justice e.g. as Magistrates, mentors, or attending court as witnesses.
Although Merthyr Tydfil is the first court in Wales to launch Community Justice, Liverpool saw the introduction of the first Community Justice court in autumn 2005. In 2006 the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer announced a further 11 sites across the UK, these included Birmingham, Bradford, Devon and Cornwall, Kingston upon Hull, Leicestershire, Merthyr Tydfil, Middlesbrough, Nottingham and three further sites in London.
For more information on the national project visit: www.communityjustice.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk
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Llys Cyfiawnder Cymunedol Cyntaf Cymru’n dod i Ferthyr Tudful
Mae Cyfiawnder Cymunedol yn golygu annog pobl leol yng nghalon y gymuned i ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â’r broses o weinyddu cyfiawnder yn eu hardal. Gwneir hyn trwy weithio mewn partneriaeth ag amrywiaeth o asiantaethau Cyfiawnder Troseddol, gwasanaethau cefnogi, mudiadau gwirfoddol a grwpiau cymunedol i ddatrys problemau sy’n cael eu hachosi gan droseddu yn ardal Merthyr Tudful.
Prif elfennau Cyfiawnder Cymunedol:
1. Ymgysylltu â’r Gymuned
Deall teimladau’r gymuned fel bod y llys yn adlewyrchu eu blaenoriaethau, a bod troseddwyr yn atebol am eu gweithredoedd. Cynorthwyo pobl i gael gwell dealltwriaeth o’r system cyfiawnder troseddol.
2. Llys Cadarn a Chyflym Gweithredu effeithiol sy’n arwain at brosesau symlach a chyflymach a chyfiawnder cyflymach.
3. Datrys problemau
Gweithio gyda’r gymuned i ddatrys y problemau sy’n achosi troseddu e.e. trwy fynediad at wasanaethau cyffuriau ac alcohol.
4. Dadwneud Niwed
Bydd troseddwyr a ddedfrydwyd gan y llys yn gwneud iawn am y difrod a achoswyd ganddynt e.e. trwy weithio er budd y gymuned.
5. Gweithredu Cymunedol
Annog pobl i wneud mwy i weinyddu cyfiawnder e.e. fel Ynadon, mentoriaid, neu trwy fynychu’r llys fel tystion.
Er mai Merthyr Tudful yw’r llys cyntaf yng Nghymru i gyflwyno Cyfiawnder Cymunedol, cafodd y Llys Cyfiawnder Cymunedol cyntaf ei lansio yn Lerpwl yn ystod hydref 2005. Yn 2006, cyhoeddodd yr Arglwydd Falconer fanylion am 11 safle arall yn y DU, ac roedd y rhain yn cynnwys Birmingham, Bradford, Dyfnaint a Chernyw, Kingston upon Hull, Swydd Gaerlŷr, Merthyr Tudful, Middlesbrough, Nottingham a thri llys arall yn Llundain.
Am ragor o wybodaeth am y prosiect cenedlaethol hwn, ewch i: www.communityjustice.gov.uk neu www.direct.gov.uk
