Communities benefit from payback orders

From building play equipment and carrying out garden clean ups to refurbishing and gifting bikes to local communities, the service saw a 34% increase in hours delivered from last year.  

Community Payback Orders were initially introduced in 2011. They provide an alternative to custody to ensure that people convicted of offences make restitution to the community and engage in services which support their rehabilitation and social inclusion. 

Over the past year: 

• 419 bags/baskets of fresh produce were provided from our allotments for local people.  

• 254 refurbished bikes were provided to adults and children.  

• 92 food hampers and 145 food parcels were provided for families and single adults in the local community. An extra 287 Christmas bags were distributed as well as 112 gifts for adults,135 gift vouchers and food vouchers. 

• 207 service users learned new skills in our home improvement workshop, learning to plaster, wallpaper and lay flooring - increasing employment prospects. 

• 109 individuals were registered with employment programmes after reporting a criminal conviction as a barrier to employment. 

• 204 draught excluders,137 rags to rugs and 136 wooden signs were distributed to beneficiaries within the community. 

• The activity group made craft items which were donated to local organisations or sold at craft fayres with the money raised donated to local charities. 

In response to the work carried out, testimonials from beneficiaries of unpaid work include Mavisbank Primary School who thanked the team for removing metal swings and tidying up the garden area for pupils and staff. The team also redeveloped waste ground at the veterans’ hub in Craigneuk into a fabulous garden area for veterans to enjoy and relax in.  

“I enjoy seeing the difference we make to people and families,” commented one of the team delivering unpaid work. Another added, “unpaid work has given me a routine and I’ve got to learn new skills.” 

Councillor Angela Campbell, Convener of Education, Children and Families Committee said: Individuals serving community payback orders are given the chance to build on their rehabilitation by developing new skills while giving something back to local communities. Our Restorative Justice’s yearly report demonstrates how we’re supporting service users, and the benefits unpaid work is bringing to communities. 

“I’ve seen first-hand the real difference our team and service users are making. Providing families and children who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to own a bike, supporting groups including churches, schools and sheltered houses and delivering ambitious projects such as our allotments.  

“We’ll continue to deliver our service, with support from partners, providing opportunities for offenders to boost their career options, sense of community and teamwork while making a difference to our local areas.”