COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A SENTENCING

ALTERNATIVE
Community service as a sentencing alternative is the product of the last three decades. It is
used widely in the United States and in other countries. There are many benefits as well as
problems associated with it. After analysing several studies, the results are positive for the
offender, the community, and the criminal justice system.

In this form of community service, those convicted of crimes are required to perform
community services or to work for agencies in the sentencing jurisdiction either entirely or
partly in lieu of other judicial remedies, sanctions such as incarceration or fines.

For instance, a fine may be reduced in exchange for a prescribed number of hours of
community service. The convict may be able to choose their community service, which then
must be documented by credible agencies, or they may be ordered by the court which
services they must do.

Sometimes the sentencing is specifically targeted to the convict's crime, for example, a
litterer may have to clean a park or roadside, or a drunk driver being required to appear
before school groups to explain why drunk driving is a crime.

If the person has a particular skill, then that skill may be highly valued by local agencies. For
example, if the person is a plumber, electrician, doctor, carpenter, software engineer, builder
etc., local agencies would be more than happy to accommodate community service hours to
be utilized by the defendant in exchange for the hours that would have otherwise been spent
in the jail. Even if the person does not possess these specific skills, other community service
options abound. For example, as volunteer in a civic or non-profit organization, Public
libraries, kitchens, recycling centres, literacy programs, conservation programs, Red Cross,
the local animal shelter and senior citizen centres all are likely recipients of community
service. They all need volunteers.

Many countries have programs by which minor offenders may be required by the court to
perform work for city or county agencies under the supervision of the police or sheriff’s
department, often on weekends, as an alternative to confinement in jail. Jail and prison
inmates are also typically used for labor either while inside, or at outside work benefiting
society, such as in light manufacturing, repair work, office work, on labor camps or farms, on
chain gangs or on land conservation projects. This is, however, more properly considered a
form of penal labor rather than community service.

How does the Community Service Program work?

• Referral is received from the court or probation.

• Client calls or responds to intake letter and appointment is made.
• Intake interview is held to determine client’s strengths and appropriate worksite
placement.
• Other service referrals may be made, as deemed necessary.
• Worksite placement is secured.
 • Client progress is monitored by program staff and reported to the sentencing court.
• Letters of completion are forwarded to the court and client.
• Failure to complete may result in re-sentencing.

When is Community Service an Option?

• The court may impose a sentence of community service in association with:

• Conditional Discharge
• Order of Probation
• Violation of Probation
• Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal
• Violations
• Misdemeanors
• Minor felonies

What offenses are appropriate for Community Service Sentencing?

Community service sentences are not appropriate for offenders having severe physical,
mental, emotional disabilities or for violent or sex offenses.

How are offenders referred to the Community Service Program?

Offenders are referred directly by the court or through the probation department.

Sentence Determination

Although the determination to assign community service hours is solely up to the court,
offenders may speak with their attorneys, prior to sentencing, to discuss the appropriateness
of a possible community service sentence. The sentence of community service hours must be
appropriate to the offense and the offender. The number of hours is not determined by law
but by the sentencing court.

At least part of the philosophy behind this kind of sentencing is that to provide a service to
the community is more beneficial than punishment for its own sake. Through community
service, the community sees a benefit while saving the costs associated with incarceration. It
is also thought to be a way to educate the convict in what is ethically acceptable behavior and
make use of him as a resource.

The court may choose to allow the defendant to serve the hours that would have been spent in
jail instead on community service. Community service is a special condition the court
imposes that requires an individual to work–without pay–for a civic or non-profit
organization.
Performing community service has many benefits.

Community service is a flexible, personalized, and humane sanction, a way for the offender
to repay or restore the community. It is practical, cost-effective, and fair–a "win-win"
proposition for everyone involved.

• The tax payers save money by not paying for the offender to be incarcerated in an
already overburdened and overpopulated jail.
• Society benefits the contribution to community service programs because of free
labour.
• The offender benefits because he or she avoids incarceration and is allowed to
meet their job and family commitments while contributing to an approved
community service program.
• Community service will foster a sense of social responsibility in offenders and
also boost to their self-esteem through serving the community.
• It also instils a work ethic and helps offenders develop interests and skills.
• The offenders can become legitimate members of the community as the social
pressures are reduced. Also suicides in prisons and among ex-convicts can be
reduced because of the frustrations.
• This will stop inmates become repeat offenders and can break the cycle of crime
and punishment.
• It is a fair and cost-effective alternative.
• It’s an opportunity to change negative perceptions about offenders in society.
• It also gives the society an opportunity to participate in the correctional process.
• The satisfaction of knowing that offenders did not evade responsibility for their
crimes.
• An opportunity to get work experience, job skills, and references.
• A sentencing alternative that serves its goals.