There aren’t many jobs where the people you are working with freely admit to being on the wrong side of the law.
But for those inspired by the recent hit BBC crime series The Outlaws, now is the time to apply for their own role in the world of criminal justice.
People in Norfolk are being urged to consider becoming Community Payback supervisors.
Previously known as Community Service, this alternative to a prison sentence sees offenders doing work ranging from litter picking to maintaining green spaces.
READ MORE: 'My love of TV crime shows lead to career in probation'
The Ministry of Justice said it might appeal to armchair criminal justice advocates inspired by recent shows like The Outlaws, which starred Stephen Merchant and featured strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence.
Supervisors lead small teams, helping to motivate them to complete projects from restoring community facilities like sports halls and playgrounds to planting trees or graffiti removal.
Dawn Parker, a community payback supervisor from Lowestoft who works across Norfolk and Suffolk, said: “I come from a nursing background and wanted to support people with their complex needs by getting the right agencies to work with them and to aid them in not re-offending.
READ MORE: Hundreds of Norfolk criminals given out of court punishments
“I love being outdoors and am a very practical person, which suits the role perfectly. I try to take people on face value rather than focusing on the offence they’ve committed.”
One of the recent projects CP supervisors in the region have overseen was preparing footpaths, groundwork, clearing greenery and clearing sites at East Coast College Campus at Lound, between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
No formal qualifications are necessary, just a reasonable level of fitness and a valid driver’s licence for a manual vehicle and an ability to motivate and inspire others to change for the better.
Anyone interested in becoming a supervisor should visit Community Payback/Ministry of Justice.
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