Community Payback – how to get involved

In Northamptonshire in 2008/2009, 94286 hours of Community Payback were completed by offenders on a variety of community based projects.   This equates to approximately £540,258 of free labour provided to local communities as offenders pay back for the crimes they have committed.

Community Payback projects range from litter removal to clearing dense under growth, and environmental projects through repairing and redecorating community centres or removing graffiti.   Offenders usually work as part of a team, monitored by a supervisor, and will work all day with short breaks, although there are some opportunities for individual placements.

To be considered your project must meet the following criteria:

• It must benefit the local community
• It must not take paid work away from others
• No one must make a profit from the work
• It must be challenging and demanding
• It must be worthwhile and constructive

• Offenders must be seen to be putting something back into the community.

The Community Payback team will assess the project for suitability and for health and safety implications.

Once the work has been completed a plaque will be displayed with the Community Payback logo, if appropriate.  This will indicate where offenders have positively contributed to improving a neighbourhood.

Anyone can nominate a project, so, if you are an individual, member of a club, community group, faith group or voluntary organisation and have a project that fits the criteria above, please complete the form or call your local Northamptonshire probation office on telephone number: 01604 658034