Award For Goodwood Payback Project
26/06/2008
A project in which teams of convicted offenders are being used to revamp a well-known Sussex estate has won a prestigious national award.
Groups of offenders sentenced to unpaid work by the courts and supervised by Sussex Probation Area have been working at the 15-hectare Goodwood Estate since 2005, carrying out improvements to the environment, natural habitat and visitor facilities.
The scheme is one of only ten programmes nationwide to receive a coveted Howard League for Penal Reform Award 2008. The awards are aimed at increasing public protection by recognising cutting-edge community programmes that help to reduce re-offending.
Sonia Crozier, Chief Officer of Sussex Probation Area, said: "The Goodwood project has been rightly recognised as one of the outstanding probation community programmes in England and Wales and we are delighted to receive such an accolade."
Up to 50 offenders a month have been involved in a variety of work including coppicing, planting hedgerows, clearing paths, erecting fences, installing bird and hedgehog boxes, redecorating the visitor centre and building benches. Last year offenders carried out more than 2,000 hours of unpaid work at the estate.
The work has resulted in an increase in numbers of deer, bird species and rare insects. The next step in the project is to build a new classroom and create a dipping pond for schoolchildren.
Sonia Crozier added: "Thousands of schoolchildren and other visitors are greatly benefiting from the works carried out by offenders while the environment and natural habitat is also being enhanced.
"As well as making amends for the harm they have caused, offenders are being provided with practical skills, an appreciation of the environment and an understanding of teamwork. This has proved successful in preventing reoffending and I've no doubt will continue to do so."
The Duke of Richmond, whose family has lived on the Estate for more than 300 years, said: "The partnership formed over the past three years with the Probation Service has resulted in clear benefits to both parties. The woodland nature trial in Seeley Copse has been greatly improved and we hope that offenders will continue their work to enhance the wildlife value and educational facilities for some time to come."
Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Frances Crook, said: "Projects such as the winners demonstrate how community sentences engage positively with victims and can secure local support, particularly when they involve unpaid work."
Last year some 2,500 offenders were sentenced to carry out unpaid work under the supervision of Sussex Probation Area with more than 200,000 hours worked.
The award will be presented by Baroness Linklater at a special reception in the House of Lords on Tuesday June 24.
