WCJB visits Highworth Warneford School
Pupils learn about criminal justice system
PUPILS learnt all about the justice system in Swindon and Wiltshire during a morning of lessons with criminal justice agency staff.
The Year 9 youngsters at Highworth Warneford School, near Swindon, attended six sessions on July 7th during the Criminal Justice Morning which was organised by the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board (WCJB).
Pictured right are the criminal justice agency representatives who attended the event with some of the pupils.
WCJB Community Engagement Officer Steven Taylor, who co-ordinated the event, said it aimed to show the teenagers what agencies do, boost confidence and awareness in the criminal justice system, and explain how young people can get involved.
Representing HM Courts Service in Wiltshire at the school were Juan Batchelor, Terry Callahan and Roger Williams.
They talked through a case study with the pupils, as well as sentencing options and guidelines.
Swindon Youth Offending Team worker Katherine Smith delivered a thought-provoking quiz, whilst Police Community Support Officer Maxine Bromley explained how working closely with the community in Highworth is vital to the effectiveness of Wiltshire Police.
Drug Intervention Programme workers Sue D’amico and Joe Wood explained how they work to get adult drug users who offend out of crime and into treatment and other support.
Joe delivered a powerful message about the dangers of drug misuse through peer pressure by sharing with the children his own experiences of drug misuse.
National Probation Service staff Nick Attree and Ruth Williams provided details of their work and how they oversee the supervision of offenders.
And Marian Langford, Kate Blackmore and Tim Hammick explained how the Crown Prosecution Service brings wrong-doers to justice, supports victims of crime and makes people feel safer in their communities.
Steven Taylor said: “The day saw over 100 young people gaining first-hand experience on how the criminal justice system works in Wiltshire.
“This event forms part of an ongoing WCJB schools’ engagement programme aiming at boosting awareness and confidence in the criminal justice system.”