Community Payback

Is there an eyesore in your local community which you would like to see cleaned up? Is there a church hall or community centre in need of redecorating? Is there a luncheon club in need of volunteers?

Community Payback could be the answer. This is your chance to choose the type of project offenders carry out in your community as part of their Unpaid Work sentence.

With the launch of Community Payback, communities now have the opportunity to influence the type of work offenders carry out in their neighbourhoods. The aim is to make the unpaid work performed by offenders more visible and more representative of the communities' needs.

Some five million hours of unpaid work are carried out every year in England and Wales, with projects always involving activities that would not otherwise be carried out. These projects include graffiti removal, redecorating community centres and environmental work. As well as carrying out work, offenders acquire skills which are useful in the job market.

Community Payback Postcard (file size 675kb) 
Community Payback Postcard Welsh version  (file size 700kb)
Community Payback Bookmark  (file size 152kb)
Community Payback Bookmark Welsh version  (file size 180kb)

All probation areas have set up systems allowing the public to suggest projects which they would like to see carried out in their neighbourhood. Contact your local probation area for more information.  Further information regarding unpaid work is available within the following document: A Manual on the Delivery of Unpaid Work Executive Summary (file size 220kb).