Community punishment order
A community punishment order is a sentence of the court. It requires you to complete a number of hours doing unpaid work in the community.
The court's aim in making the community punishment order is to give you the chance to make amends to the community for your offence.
A supervising officer oversees your community work placement. They will give you more details about how your hours are worked out and recorded.
You will be placed with a supervisor who will give you instructions about where you will be working and what work you will be doing.
What sort of work will I be doing?
You might be painting, decorating or gardening for organisations or individuals.
You might be helping others by making or repairing equipment in a workshop.
Work will be demanding but your particular skills and abilities will be taken into account.
What is expected of me?
To complete the order, keep out of trouble with the law and co-operate with your supervising officer.
In particular you must:
- Attend your initial community punishment interview within five days of the order being made
- Start your community work placement within ten days of the order being made
- Attend without fail as instructed, arrive on time and put in good work on your project
- Advise the supervising officer if your circumstances change
- Work all the hours ordered
- Keep to the rules of the community work scheme.
What are the rules?
- Tell us immediately if you change your address.
- You must obey work instructions
- You must not be absent without permission
- You must not leave the site without permission. This will only be given in an extreme emergency
- You must not attend under the influence of drink or drugs
- You must not behave aggressively or violently or threaten violence
- You must not use language or behaviour that is offensive to others
- You must not smoke in probation premises or vehicles.
There may be additional rules you have to keep, depending on your work setting. These will be explained in full at the commencement of the order.
What about health and safety?
You are responsible for your own safety and that of those around you.
When protective clothing and equipment are provided they must be used properly and as instructed.
What if I am ill or cannot attend?
If possible you should obtain permission in advance. Otherwise you must contact us within 2 days with an explanation for your absence. Explanations will have to be proved, such as a letter from your employer if you have to work at short notice.
If you are too ill to work, a medical certificate will be required.
What happens if I do not keep to the rules and requirements of the Community Punishment Order?
You can be returned to court in breach proceedings if:
- You have more than one unexplained or unacceptable absence
- You are responsible for lateness, poor work or bad behaviour
- You change address without telling your supervising officer.
What happens if I am breached?
The Court may:
- Either sentence you for the breach and instruct you to complete the order. If so, they may impose:
- A fine, which could be up to £1000
- An additional community punishment order.
- Or they may revoke the community punishment order and deal with you in some other way for your original offence, including imprisonment.
What can I do if I am unable to continue with the work?
You have the right to return to court if your circumstances change to prevent you from continuing. The court could then deal with you for the original offence. You should discuss this situation with your supervising officer.
Can my Community Punishment Order be ended early?
NO, every hour of the order must be completed.
Do I have any rights while I am on the Order?
You will be treated fairly and equally and you are expected to behave just as fairly towards other people. The service will not allow racist, sexist or other disrespectful behaviour from any person under our supervision.
You can make a complaint, if you feel you have been treated unfairly or unreasonably.
You should try to talk about this with your supervising officer first or their manager. If you are not satisfied with the response you get, then you can write to the YOS Manager at the main YOS address.
What if I have any questions or problems?
If you have any questions or problems, get in touch with us as soon as possible. We will try to sort things out for you.
