Unpaid work, also known as Community Payback, is a court-ordered punishment available as part of a community order or a condition of a suspended prison sentence. It can stand as a punishment in its own right or be combined with other community order requirements, such as supervision by a probation officer or a drug rehabilitation programme.
It is available to all offenders whose crimes are serious enough to warrant a community-based penalty but are not so serious as to merit immediate imprisonment. Typically, offenders undertaking Unpaid Work will have been convicted of offences of dishonesty, lesser violent offences, driving offences and criminal damage.
All offenders being considered for Unpaid Work are assessed for their suitability and the risk they may pose to others and themselves. The aim is to ensure that all offenders undertaking Unpaid Work can be safely managed and are physically able to undertake the work required of them.
Members of the public can nominate projects to be completed by offenders on unpaid work, under the Community Payback scheme. The work should be of benefit to the community and also enable offenders to learn useful skills which could help them in future paid employment. Any project undertaken must not take away work from businesses. Beneficiaries typically include charities and community organisations.
Click to suggest a Community Payback project
Latest Community Payback News...
The Lord Mayor of Norwich has seen first-hand how offenders are paying back for their crimes in the city.
Councillor Evelyn Collishaw visited Norfolk Probation to meet offenders and those who are benefitting from their work.
Community Payback Scheme Manager Portia Griffey took Cllr Collishaw to Pottergate ARC, a Day Centre for homeless and disadvantaged people. The centre, which is run by the Salvation Army, offers meals and shower facilities for those without settled accommodation.
A team of offenders who are on Community Payback are helping to refurbish the centre and are currently redecorating the interior.
Major David Jackson, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army said: "We are pleased that this scheme is able to provide such a positive and beneficial contribution to the community, and we are looking forward to seeing the completed work."
The Lord Mayor was then taken to Mile Cross Garden to present a plaque, where offenders have been removing graffitti and applying anti-graffitti paint.
Cllr Collishaw was so impressed with the scheme that she has nominated her own project.
