Community Justice Birmingham
Community Justice has arrived in the West Midlands as part of an initial pilot scheme involving 11 areas in England and Wales.
Click here to find out more about Community Justice
What is Community Justice?
Community Justice is about improving the quality of life in particular neighbourhoods and giving local people a stronger voice in the delivery of justice. This means encouraging greater community participation in the justice process with the courts and other partner agencies. In Birmingham, Community Justice relates to the areas of Handsworth, Lozells and Perry Barr.
Who is involved?
Led by the West Midlands Criminal Justice Board, the Community Justice initiative encourages partnership working between all of the criminal justice agencies as well as the local Judiciary and Magistrates, local authorities, Victim Support, Community Safety Partnerships and many other services such as housing associations, and drug and alcohol services.
The eight principles of Community Justice are:
- Making sure that the courts are not remote from the people they serve.
- Listening to the concerns of local people.
- Looking at how to make things better.
- Working closely with the police and other partner agencies to get the best results.
- Avoiding delays and long drawn-out procedures.
- Using all the powers available to the courts to deal with offenders.
- Getting the best deal for victims and the community wherever possible.
- Encouraging offenders to go straight.
How will it work in Birmingham?
From November 2007, there will be a dedicated courtroom for Community Justice based in Birmingham Magistrates' Court. The court will co-ordinate social services and unpaid work programmes, and will offer support for victims of crime, and advice and help for witnesses. For offenders, it will combine punishment with help to encourage them to address the problems that are at the root of their criminal behaviour, linking them with organisations who can offer advice on drug treatments, health care and education.
What crimes does Community Justice deal with?
Community Justice focuses on crimes like anti-social behaviour, robbery, domestic burglary, vandalism and graffiti, and drug-related crime. It is designed to respond to the specific concerns of individual communities and to address the crimes that affect the community.
Is the community involved in sentencing?
No, sentencing is a matter for the Judge or Magistrates. However, the community can become involved and suggest tasks that could be carried out by offenders who have been sentenced to unpaid work. Local people will also be asked about the crimes that impact on their lives the most, and Judges and Magistrates will be made aware of local priorities.
How can I get involved?
Community Justice encourages local residents to become more involved in helping to deliver justice. You can get involved in tackling local crime in a number of ways, such as:
- Suggesting an unpaid work project for offenders to carry out as part of their community sentence. If you wish to nominate an unpaid work project in the Handsworth, Lozells and Perry Barr area, please email wm-communityjustice@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk.
- For any other areas please visit the http://www.westmidlands-probation.gov.uk/wmps/communitypayback/communitypayback.asp
- Becoming a Magistrate or Special Constable or volunteering to sit on a Youth Offender Panel, assist Victim Support or the Witness Service, or acting as a mentor to offenders.
- Informing the West Midlands Criminal Justice Board what you want to see happen in your neighbourhood.
To forward comments or request more information about the Community Justice initiative in Birmingham, or to find out more about volunteering opportunities in the criminal justice system, please contact:
Tel: 0121 250 6155
Email: wm-communityjustice@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
or write to:
The West Midlands Criminal Justice Board, 3rd Floor - Temple Court, 35 Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6JW