April is Justice Month
At least 70,000 people give their time voluntarily to work with victims of
crime, offenders and within the criminal justice process. Many more contribute
to work to increase the safety of our neighbourhoods. Volunteers bring fresh
approaches and commitment to both the capacity and the quality of these services.
And voluntary participation in crime prevention and criminal
justice mean the system is more trusted and responsive to the needs of all
our communities.
During April we're celebrating the essential contribution
made by volunteers in often challenging and responsible roles.
Volunteering opportunities in justice
- Supporting victims of crime and witnesses in court
- Working with communities to make their environments
safer
- Helping to run projects to keep young people out
of trouble
- Acting as mentors to offenders to help prevent
them reoffending
- Making judgements as a magistrate in over 90% of
all cases in the criminal justice system
- Getting involved in the administration of youth
justice as a lay member of referral order panels
- Helping in prisons by befriending prisoners or
running visitors centres to make visiting prison less daunting for the children
and families of prisoners
Why do people do it?
- People value the chance to make a serious and significant
contribution to their communities by taking on this responsible volunteering
role
- It builds real skills and expertise - so it's
an important part of personal and career development
- It allows people to turn their own experiences
- whether as a victim, an offender or simply an individual concerned about
crime - to good use by helping to build safer communities for us all
Events during Justice Month will show some of the voluntary
opportunities available within the justice system, including how to make communities
safer.
Learn more about volunteering in justice
To find out more about the volunteering opportunities in
justice:
