The Guardian was offered rare access to the project, under which, instead of being sent to prison, convicted offenders work on the improvement of waterways and green spaces around Smethwick. Community payback is not suitable for everyone but covers a wide range of adult offending and can be included as part of suspended sentences. Courts can order between 40 and 300 hours of community payback, to be completed within a specific timeframe. Other forms of community payback, formerly known as community sentences, include removing graffiti, decorating public places and buildings such as community centres, and planting trees. While critics might see community payback as a soft sentencing option, it is not a view shared by Ghafoor.