Community Payback Consultation 2024

Overview

We want to hear your views on Community Payback Orders (CPO). These are given out by the Court to people to pay for their crimes as an alternative to a prison sentence.

In particular, we want 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 annually as part of a report to the Scottish Government.

Your information will help us improve how we work with communities. We want to increase 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 24-1024.

What happens next

Findings from the survey will be included in the Council’s 2024-2025 CPO report in early 2026.