OVERGROWN areas have been cleared and outdoor spaces improved across Inverclyde by people carrying out unpaid work as part of a community sentence.
Ground by St Laurence’s Church, Kilmacolm Road, in Greenock has been cleared for a new orchard for the community and other work has transformed gardens and public areas.
The projects were carried out by people serving community payback orders (CPOs).
More than 11.6 million hours of unpaid work have been completed across Scotland since CPOs were introduced in 2010, with around 1.4 million hours recorded benefiting communities for the reporting year 2023-24. There were 15,086 CPOs imposed by the courts, a three per cent increase on the previous year.
Councillor Francesca Brennan, convener of Inverclyde’s Social Work and Social Care Scrutiny Panel, said: “People on CPOs have been able to give something back by improving their communities and helping those in need. This can foster a sense of community pride and connection and the chance to learn skills that can help them find work.”
People who have completed CPOs in Inverclyde reported how they were helped to change their thinking and behaviour and enjoyed giving back. One said: “I have been given the opportunity to help my community,” while another said, “Unpaid work gives you time to think about the reason I am in this position as without this order I would be in jail so I am thankful for this.” Another person talked about the “personal satisfaction” they felt after completing work in the community and seeing a positive result.”
Catherine Dyer, chair of the board of Community Justice Scotland, said: “Community payback orders allow people to repay locally for the harm they’ve caused and access support to services, such as addiction counselling, to tackle the behaviour which led to their offending.
“The increase in the number of CPOs imposed by courts shows the confidence of sheriffs in community-based sentences which can help reduce the risk of reoffending compared to short-term imprisonment. Unpaid work has transformed areas across the country, making a meaningful impact on communities such as improving school playgrounds, painting and gardening for local organisations as well as helping individuals who need work done.”
