Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

‘Community Justice’

Back in December 06 the Lord Chancellor called me in and gave me the good news that Merthyr had been chosen as the first in Wales to trial a new ‘Community Justice’ system. My arguments and support for those involved in our Magistrates Courts had helped win the argument and it is good to see it getting underway. Bringing together all the agencies that can make a real system of ‘Community Justice’ should make the system more efficient but also more effective for offenders and the communities in which they live. ‘Community Justice’ will develop over the Spring and into the Summer when the refurbished courts in Merthyr will be up and running again. The Court will also work with Community Legal Service Direct to help tackle some of the circumstances that can lead to low level crime. Working with Community Safety Partnerships and Community First Teams to tackle specific crimes and anti-social behaviour will be an important next step for the Project Board. The ‘Community Justice’ Court in Merthyr will be able to award community orders and better monitor the progress of individuals convicted in that way. This sort of ‘Restorative Justice’ is a concept that I believe should be developed; as it could make the justice system more visible to the community as well as help reform individuals and stop them going on a personally destructive journey destructive to themselves, their families and our communities. Merthyr has a great opportunity to set a ‘Community Justice’ model for the whole of Wales, as well as bringing benefits to us locally. I would like to see the work of the Court eventually be able to go even further out into the community and see them being able to take the Court into community and youth centres in our Valley’s. I look forward to working further with them to make it a success.