Community Payback Consultation 2025

Overview

Please share your views on Community Payback Orders (CPO). These are handed down by the Court to people to pay for their crimes as an alternative to a prison sentence.

In particular, we would like to know what you think about the unpaid work part of a CPO, which replaced community service in 2011. This is when an individual who has committed an offence does unpaid work within the community. 

• Do you have any experience of people doing unpaid work in your community? 
• Do you think unpaid work gives people the opportunity to repay the community for the crimes they have committed?
• Do you have any ideas about residents, community projects or organisations who could benefit from unpaid work support? 

Why your views matter

We are required to consult with the public and stakeholders every year and report to the Scottish Government.

Your information will help us improve how we work with communities. We want to improve understanding of CPOs and their importance in helping people reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of them reoffending. We also want to generate more discussion with communities about unpaid work opportunities.

Need a different language or format?

Please email the Interpretation and Translation Service at its@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting reference 25-0581.