Offenders revitalized a village hall near a historic harbor through community payback, providing invaluable services and skills.
People might judge “unpaid work” sentences harshly, but this work helps shape communities across the area. Gabrielle Buist works with the Highland Community Justice Partnership, which unites groups to support people in the justice system.
Gabrielle said the community needs to be tolerant because this tolerance benefits offenders and society. A community sentence can change a person’s life and also helps the community. Leaders see we must invest time in people, which makes our communities safer in the long run, she said.
Useful work happens in Highland, unseen and unacknowledged. Gabrielle raises awareness about community justice as partnership and collaboration matter to keep people safe. This reduces reoffending, and it falls to all of us, she said.
The payback team transformed the hall by painting and decorating it three times. The hall is near a historic harbor, which used to hold many herring boats. Pat Ramsay runs the hall’s board, and Grant is a trustee.
Pat is happy with the justice service’s support. The hall got a new heating system, and workers added insulation and LED lighting. The team cleared rubbish and painted, using a modern color scheme.
The team worked flexibly with the hall’s schedule. Regular updates and communication proved vital. The team is fixing picnic benches at the harbor, and they will mow grass there and at the hall. Pat said the team is appreciated.
Bob Miller supervises the community payback team, and he loves knowing their work helps the community. He is a painter and decorator by trade, and Bob teaches clients valuable skills. Clients can use these skills to improve their lives.
One client worked at the hall for weeks and he likes learning new things about painting. “Bob teaches the team,” he said, and knowing they help the community is worthwhile. He looks forward to his unpaid work and does extra days.
Community justice helps stop people from reoffending; and community sentences work better than prison. People stay connected to vital relationships. This support is needed for a productive life, and it also causes less crime.
The community payback team did the main work at the hall. Sentences help with addiction and offer programs; and there is unpaid work or fines, and restrictions like tagging. This is not an easy way out, said HCJP, and It is not just picking up litter.
Steve MacDonald is a community payback officer. Clients pay back the community, get structure, and learn new skills. Supervisors mentor and encourage them, and community payback helps clients avoid reoffending, he said.
Gabrielle Buist stated chances of reoffending drop, as offenders keep family, home, and work. Community justice lets people serve sentences at home, and they get support to rebuild their lives. They give back to their community. Prisons matter, but not for everyone. Less offenders need to be behind bars, and communities need to be tolerant, she said. They must offer jobs and placements, especially in remote areas in Highland, which is especially important.