Criminal and Youth Justice News

January 2018: Recent bad weather has reminded us that the people we work with (both our service users and people who benefit from Unpaid Work projects) need to know what will happen in the event of extreme weather.

If you are on a court order or a post-release licence:

You should have been given appointments well in advance, and are expected to keep them unless it is totally impossible (for example, if bus services from outlying areas stop operating). If you live within reasonable walking distance, you will be expected to attend. If you consider that you cannot keep your appointment or Unpaid Work session, it is your responsibility to phone your case manager, or if that person is not available, the Duty Officer, at the Criminal & Youth Justice Office (01506 280999)  

If you are currently receiving help from the Unpaid Work Team, either from a work team or from an individual on a Community Payback Order: 

We will contact you to make sure you understand what assistance we will be able to offer you. Please be aware that in cases of heavy snowfall, we are expected to use our workforce to assist individuals, groups or communities who need help in clearing paths and entrances to facilities, and that we may not be able to resume normal services until that work becomes unnecessary.

February 2017: Publication of Annual Report on Community Payback Scheme in West Lothian

Scottish local authorities are obliged by law to report annually on the operation of their Community Payback Schemes. These local reports may only be published after the Scottish Government publishes its own summary of progress nationally, usually around nine months after the end of the financial year. Here is the Annual report for 2015-16. (PDF) [308KB] (opens new window) . The national summary report on Community Payback is available at https://beta.gov.scot/publications/community-payback-order-scottish-government-summary-local-authority-annual-reports/ (opens new window)