Community Payback

Community Payback is a punishment handed out by the courts. It’s demanding work, carried out by offenders in the community. They have to wear orange high-visibility jackets, marked Community Payback, so you can see that they’re paying back your community for their crimes. Led by the Probation Service, it is a national scheme delivered locally.

Members of the public can have their say about what Community Payback work offenders do in their community. Projects can range from litter removal or clearing dense undergrowth, through repairing and redecorating community centres, to removing graffiti. Whatever the work is, it must:

  • Benefit the local community
  • Not take paid work away from others
  • Not make a profit for anyone
  • Provide sufficient work to fully occupy a group of offenders
  • Be within the capabilities of the local Community Payback Unit to undertake
  • Satisfy Health and Safety requirements