A group of offenders undertaking supervised, court-ordered unpaid work have been diligently restoring the medieval churchyard of St John the Baptist Church in Midsomer Norton this month. Their efforts include clearing overgrown brambles, pruning trees, and leveling burial plots, revitalizing this nearly 900-year-old Grade II listed site.
Hilary Denning, Church Warden at St John’s, expressed gratitude for the Community Payback team’s involvement: “We contacted the group to help tackle a large spoil heap of soil in the center of the churchyard. Thanks to their dedication and hard work, the area has been transformed into a peaceful and attractive space once again. Recently, they’ve also begun clearing brambles encroaching the margins, making a visible difference to our community.”
St John the Baptist Churchyard holds historical significance as the resting place for soldiers from both the First and Second World Wars. The restoration not only preserves a historic site but also fosters community spirit.
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Community Payback orders offenders to complete unpaid work as part of their sentences, typically ranging from 40 to 300 hours. Each year, up to five million hours of such work contribute to communities nationwide. This approach supports rehabilitation, allowing offenders to give back to the communities they have affected.
According to His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Community Payback programs serve as alternatives to incarceration, helping ease prison overcrowding. With men’s prisons operating at over 99% capacity in 2024, overcrowding has been linked to increased violence among inmates and between prisoners and staff. To address these challenges, HMPPS plans to increase investment in probation services by approximately 45% and build 14,000 new prison places by 2028.
Individuals interested in supporting community payback initiatives can find volunteer and employment opportunities through the His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service careers website.