The National Probation Service - West Yorkshire
Community Payback
An Unpaid Work Requirement is one of the 12 requirements that can be included in a Community Order. The work, known as Community Payback, involves offenders doing compulsory work for the benefit of the community, as shown in the photo.
All offenders on Community Payback are screened to assess the risk they may pose to the public, and are closely supervised at all times. They will have to perform between 40 and 300 hours of work. The requirement is a punishment but it may have rehabilitative elements to it.
Unpaid Work Requirements are very rigorous sentences that are also beneficial to the community. They are also strictly supervised and incorporate other aspects like Skills for Life provision. So they provide a better opportunity for rehabilitation to the offender, and therefore help us protect the public in future.
How does it work?
Because Community Payback involves lots of intensive supervision, it provides a good opportunity to teach offenders new skills. Community Payback supervisors are trained to act as positive role-models and to encourage the development of positive attitudes towards work, other people and the wider community. It also gives offenders the chance to learn new skills in real situations. This style of practical learning suits offenders better than more traditional teaching, and develops problem solving, interpersonal and employment-related skills. These skills are vital if the offender is to return to "normal" society.
As with all Community Sentences, Community Payback is closely monitored, and offenders who do not obey the rules will be breached and returned to court.
