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Offenders to wear community vests

By John Hirst

Offenders to wear community vests

Thousands of offenders in England and Wales are to wear high visibility vests while doing community service.

Ministers have ordered 10,000 orange bibs with "Community Payback" on the back identifying them to the public.

The government hopes the uniforms will increase confidence in community-based punishments which are seen by some as a soft option compared to prison.

But probation groups warn the vests could "increase the risk" of offenders becoming targets for attacks.

In my view, this is nothing short of human branding. I support community service, however, this type of designed humiliation is counter productive.

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on December 01, 2008 (boomark / email).