Campaign success: Government scraps plans to ‘name and shame’ people serving community sentences

Back in September we called on Government to scrap plans to ‘name and shame’ people serving community sentences. They listened. Clause 35 has been removed from the Sentencing Bill in a decision that protects children and families.

Clause 35 would have allowed probation practitioners to publish the names and photos of people completing unpaid work as part of a community sentence. This naming and shaming approach would have:

➡️ Risked exposing children and families to harm

➡️ Made it harder for people to get jobs and rebuild their lives

➡️ Done little to reduce reoffending

Pact brought together 20+ organisations and experts to sign a joint letter to the Justice and Education Secretaries calling for this change. Together, we amplified the voices of children and young people who have experienced having a parent in prison or on probation.

Pact welcomes the Government’s decision to scrap the clause. We now look forward to seeing the Bill come into law and in particular the expansion of community sentences, which are more effective than prison sentences.