Community Payback and local criminal justice engagement initiatives: public perceptions and awareness

Improving public confidence in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) is a key government priority. The 2008 review by Louise Casey 'Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime' suggests that public confidence in the CJS may be linked to the visibility of justice, and to how the CJS informs and engages with the public. At a local level, a range of work is underway to ensure the public recognise CJS services. Following publication of the 'Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice' Green Paper in April 2009, a number of new measures have been introduced which are intended to give communities a greater say in the way justice is delivered at a local level. The current piece of exploratory research looked at the public response primarily to local Community Payback projects, but also to four criminal justice initiatives designed to engage communities in criminal justice: Community Prosecutors, Community Impact Statements, Citizens' Panels, and Community Justice Teams.