Justice Minister Jake Richards said he understood concerns that naming people on Community Payback schemes could impact their kids in a negative way
A Labour minister has said he understands fears that naming and shaming criminals will impact on their kids.
Jake Richards said concerns that publishing the identities of people on Community Payback schemes could do “severe and long-lasting damage” to children are “legitimate”.
Last week more than 20 justice organisations and individuals wrote to Justice Secretary David Lammy calling for a rethink.
Mr Richards told The Mirror: “It is a legitimate concern. We’re going to look into the details about how about how that’s implemented.”
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But he said he believes the public deserves to see that justice is being done.
The Government’s Sentencing Bill – due to be discussed in Parliament this week – includes proposals to name those ordered to do unpaid work after conviction.
Mr Richards said: “I would always defend the principle that it’s really important that communities and the public know that justice is being done and that they see that.
“I think that fundamentally our justice system relies on the public having faith and confidence in the justice system. Unless they see justice being done that is undermined.
“But some of the concerns that are raised are right, looking at it. The devil will be in the detail about how we do that.”
And he added: “But I’m really keen as a justice minister to make sure we have measures going forward that show the public that when people are committing offenses – whether it’s anti-social behaviour, or whether it’s very serious offenses – that we as a Government, we as a country, take that very seriously.
“This is one mechanism of doing it, but it’s got to be done ethically, it’s got to be done safely and legally as well.”
Signatures of the letter include Andy Keen-Downs, the chief executive of the Prison Advice and Care Trust, Dr Carol Homden, the chief executive of Coram, and Pia Sinha, the CEO of the Prison Reform Trust.
They warned the measure could bring “unintended, yet undeniably harmful consequences” for many thousands of children and young people.