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Community Payback

Community Payback is a punishment that can be handed out by the courts. It's demanding work, carried out by criminals in the community.

Offenders have to wear bright orange jackets marked Community Payback, so you will see them paying back for their crimes.

Community Payback projects can include:

• litter removal
  
• clearing dense undergrowth
  
• repairing and redecorating community centres
  
• removing graffiti.

In 2008, as part of Community Payback:

• roughly 55,000 projects were completed
  
• over 6 million hours of work were undertaken
  
• work valued at £34.5 million (if paid at the minimum wage) was carried out

• Community Payback Opens new window

Vote or nominate now

Have your say on what work is carried out by criminals in your local community. Wherever you live in England and Wales you can contact your local Probation Service and nominate Community Payback projects.

In 54 pioneer areas throughout England and Wales you can vote on which of five local Community Payback projects for offenders to undertake in your community will be started first. Vote for or nominate a project by following the link below.

Voting ends on 24 April 2009 at midnight. The winners will be announced in early June.

Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw said: "It's crucial that the public - the taxpayer - has a say in what community punishments offenders receive. People have a right to know what offenders are doing in their neighbourhood to repay for the wrongs committed.

"We are determined to open up the justice system. Recent steps to do this include the appointment of a dedicated Victims Champion, giving distinctive orange jackets to offenders and now ensuring the public knows they have a say in punishing offenders."

• Community sentences - an overview

• Community justice

• Vote now - Community Payback Opens new window