No human should get something for FREE, this will make the Free valueless, this person will then think that the society owes him/her free stuff, it makes them lazy, makes them less motivated, makes them sit in the front of the TV and brook. We were given 6.5 hours credit per day but only actually worked 2hrs per day. Why do they keep on lying? She wants the current system to be radically changed.If community service is to work properly it has to be run properly, which by all accounts that isn'y happening at the moment.Community Service is cheaper than prison, but it should be properly overseen, which it is not, and with all the proposed cutbacks looming this isn't likely to get better untill someone with a modicom of common sence gets involved.So, short answer: No, it isn't working as it should, or as it could. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT???????? but something for them to do in the daytime. The message we need to get across is that crime is an offence against society and will be punished by visible loss of status in society, not by being hidden away in prison. If ever there was a more true statement which reflects public opinion, it`s comment 78. I think community service is a good punishment. Mmmmm! Complain about this comment (Comment number 77). Community service is more effective than short jail terms for low level repeat offenders, experts will say. Currently, in order to be eligible for a CSO you must have committed a crime that is punishable by a prison sentence, and you must not be considered a risk to the community. As an example, someone who is unemployed and causes criminal damage to a motor vehicle might well get 40 hours community service as a punishment. I think maybe a lot would stay in the forces. There are several eastern european countries that spring to mind, after all their prisons must be empty as all their criminals are over here! … Complain about this comment (Comment number 42). How does forcing the offender to do something the aggrieved is already doing equate to punishment bearing in mind that when the criminal has completed his 40 hours he just walks away. Perhaps Community Service could be a little more imaginative than at present. Complain about this comment (Comment number 47). These need to be replaced by people with some backbone - perhaps looking to the Army for an example. If it was up to me it would be far more of a punishment but one has to remember their human rights. At 9:14pm on 02 Sep 2010, Alan wrote:I would like to see young criminals sent to a boot camp, ran by the Army and taught disipline and team work"Against their human rights. Under the Crimes (Sentencing and Procedure) Act, they can involve up to 500 hours of work in the community. The probation service does not seem fit for purpose? Is community service too easy?The pictures were filmed by ITV1's Tonight programme and have led to the government's victims' commissioner, Louise Casey, saying that it is "disgraceful". Complain about this comment (Comment number 9). It was renamed as the C ommunity Punishment and Rehabilitation Order (CPRO) in 2001. The kind of work you are given will depend on what is available in your community and what you are best suited to. There's nothing wrong with that but what about people who really need, say, some maintenance on their house eg window frames painted? Let the government take a bite out of her life at the loss of her job, home, family and loved ones.. Let her as well be forced to live on the streets with nothing, and doing anything to stay alive. Only it hasn't, of course - look at reoffending rates.How about bringing back the stocks? Complain about this comment (Comment number 24). The BOCSAR study compared the reoffending rates of defendants given good behaviour bonds to those given CSOs. It gives them a chance to put something back to the community & maybe learn new skill which could help them get a job. "Prison is terrible at reducing re-offending (if it was introduced now for the first time it would not last long, the re-offending rate would be all over the press).No matter what you may think of community service, and how much work is actually done, it is working for free (would you want to work for nothing? Complain about this comment (Comment number 73). Complain about this comment (Comment number 44). The aggreived continues with this 'punishment' every week for perhaps 45 years. Yes and no....it is an ideal way to ensure that those who commit minor offences give something back to the community. CS encompasses many different roles, but if anyone thinks that caring for the sick, elderly or disabled over a 24h period is easy, then they don't know what they are on about and they insult all those who have to care for sick or severely disabled loved ones 24/7 without any choice in the matter! Second offence straight to prison. Place orders with the warders via the correct channels and had, amongst other things, a digital radio delivered to him. At least it means they're not out there breaking and entering, stealing cars, or whatever.What's the alternative for people whose crimes only warrant CS? Complain about this comment (Comment number 34). Give them new identities and send them to live in Australia away from all the nasty families of the murdered victims and media who hound their every waking moment and what for? About Ugur Nedim Ugur Nedim is an Accredited Specialist Criminal Lawyer and Principal at Sydney Criminal Lawyers®, Sydney’s Leading Firm of Criminal & Traffic Defence Lawyers. Complain about this comment (Comment number 49). I offer this for comparison purposes only, I do not propose we adopt anything like these draconian measures, more to illustrate just how lucky our criminal fraternity are that they don't live in Burma! Complain about this comment (Comment number 51). I expect the 'human rights' movement would veto that; they prefer crime to flourish rather than punish anyone. Make it more personal. Would this not make you more resentful of society, and incline you towards further anti-social behaviour? That should be scrapped, and prisons should be like in the Victorian era.That would prove to be a deterrent. The laws of this land cuddle up to the criminal and discard the victim. Punishment without walls: Community service sentences in Ne w. Y ork City. Complain about this comment (Comment number 56). But society won't start winning until it manages to create citizens who instinctively want to do the right thing, in the first place. Like any attempt at making a lifestyle change, the individual involved has to really, really WANT to make that change.Attending community service in a spirit of getting it done, getting it over with, isn't going to make the offender any different: but those who grasp the opportunity of structured support to turn their life around, to not even want to do whatever their offence was again, have a good chance of making that change happen.It's the same with gaol. The pictures were filmed by ITV1's Tonight programme and have led to the government's victims' commissioner, Louise Casey, saying that it is "disgraceful". Nothing will ever change because the criminals rights seem to be more important than the victim. Complain about this comment (Comment number 41). Complain about this comment (Comment number 17). I visited Burma on business a few years back and found first hand what happens if you are convicted of a criminal offence. punishment in the community may be more likely to reduce offending. Should vocational courses in England change? In fact, any breach can lead to the CSO being revoked and a sentence of imprisonment being imposed. Do our enforcers, advocates, judges and service supervisors know what the process is expected to produce?I will reserve my judgement on community service until essential procedural reforms are in operation. --------Please let me know the location of this situation so that I can apply for a job my local authority expect a full days work (or more) for a full days pay (or less).Or does it just exist in your imagination or the pages of the Daily Mail? Community sentences if you are under 18 Overview You may get a community sentence if you’re convicted of a crime by a court but are not sent to prison. Google Scholar. If we need to spend more money on crime and punishment then that's what we'll have to do. Any working system requires dedication and money. Only by giving them some investment in a project will they learn how it feels if it is then vandalised, damaged or broken.Projects have to be worthy, and hard work. Those who are given CSOs were found to have a slightly lower rate of reoffending than those who received given a bond – yet more than six times the amount of people received bonds than CSOs. Muliluvuori, M. L. (2001). Complain about this comment (Comment number 98). Complain about this comment (Comment number 89). I thought it was a bit stupid that they were washing cars as a community service as this is normally something that generates money for car wash owners in the private sector. If it's done properly it will be more succesful than if it's not. There is a whole list a missed `jobs`. That makes you hardly different from the criminals, doesn't it. See what she thinks of the penal system and society's pecking order. As a volunteer I have witnessed two sessions of Community service. Corporal Punishment. I think community service is a very good idea as long as it is correctly enforced. After more than 100 days, the Tory/Libdem Government should have known as well. This means that large differences in the rates of offending can still only show a small percentage difference in the reoffending habits of those who received a CSO versus a good behaviour bond. Community sentences are not an alternative to short prison sentences. Complain about this comment (Comment number 18), The penal system is a joke, not just community service.Prisoners rights bill??? Community service is distinct from volunteering, since it is not always performed on a voluntary basis.It may be performed for a variety of reasons. Reforms Suggested. It is not simply a question of 'punishment' but a matter of rehabilitation and integration of criminals into society. Anything else ought to be subject to the usual sanctions, which presumably must be available to administrators of the project.Lets treat this report as an incentive to manage the scheme better,rather than revert to a 'knee jerk' reaction, sending more offenders into our overcrowded prisons,& running the real risk of them being hardened into worse criminals by virtue of what they've experienced within them. Find out about Community Payback and the rules of your community sentence. Given the appropriate disciplinary powers and mandate, this would be an easy task. However, for offenders in work, we should consider that imprisonment would mean them losing their job. Complain about this comment (Comment number 46). Complain about this comment (Comment number 94). This debate has now been closed. If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful. Then lets see what she has to say. Does community service work?Can the BBC not get the figures as to reoffending rates, as compared to prisoners, from the relevant office? (2001). Of course it doesnt, most people sentenced to community service have no respect for the law in the first place so why would they have any respect for what is a sop to the PC do-gooders and professional apologists?Only yesterday a man was sentenced to 4 years for stabbing someone to death with a pair of scissors in Glasgow, I'm no expert but what does that mean - out in two? Complain about this comment (Comment number 63). For certain categories of crimes and certain categories of offenders, especially young offenders and first-time offenders, community service would be appropriate," Akila says. The number of CSOs has been decreasing since 1994, and the prevalence of good behaviour bonds has been rising. Should only British born athletes compete for team GB? As we cannot control many pupils in our schools, I find it difficult to see how we are able to find individuals who have the skill, character and powers to enforce discipline on our criminals in fairly 'open' situations. Complain about this comment (Comment number 32). Read on. Some offenders may find community service is a deterrent, for some offenders a custodial sentence is more appropriate and for the other habitual 'career criminals' I guess nothing works.I have no issue with an offender wanting to be rehabilitated, but many of them don't.If community service helps young offenders feel part of the community and gives them work experience and pride in a job well done then it is worthwhile.If community service is seen by the offender as just an easy alternative to a custodial sentence then it isn't.Those that choose to break the cycle of reoffending and choose to be rehabilitated should be given every opportunity available. There are hundreds of miles of footpaths in our National Parks, in urgent need of renovation. Does it not occur to anyone that this system of punishment creates a link in the mind between doing work which benefits the community, and punishment? Complain about this comment (Comment number 69). The evidence shows that community service is a "holiday camp" where offenders drink tea and smoke illegal drugs. One must invest one's self esteem in that which is perceived as positive to one's self - but you would have people make a negative association with work as a form of punishment!!!! It seems to work quite well in this area. Complain about this comment (Comment number 29). Complain about this comment (Comment number 52). This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Have to say I never thought the day would come when I would agree with The Ghosts of John Galt but what he says in post 34 is quite right. Managed correctly, this "punishment" could be an effective way to clear up communities blighted by hooliganism, graffiti, litter etc. Many argued that offences punishable with community service do not really ample together. They also have to have a point. Complain about this comment (Comment number 93). If the crime demands imprisonment, no assistance is given to that person's welfare so medical, food and clothing must be provided by the prisoners' family by daily visits. we had a few in a commuity centre who did a bit of building work, Many of them had probelms Drink, Drugs, mental, and others' I dont see it as punishment!!! All the evidence I've seen suggests that neither requirement is being met. What could be better is the supervision of these people. One of the things that surprised the Prison Officers was the reaction of some of the lads they were working with - suddenly they had responsible adult role models telling them to clean their shoes, tidy themselves up, etc, and as importantly, when they did something right, they were praised for it. Complain about this comment (Comment number 95). Free Work & ExploitationIn the days of Slavery and Apartheid field workers smoked weed. In 2003, Enhanced Community Punishment (ECP) was launched, building on the principles and knowledge base of ‘What Works’. Your average criminal does not have a job and having to actaully do a days work is a punishment to them. Punishment is a medieval way of looking at crime.2 wrongs equal a right ?How can you rehabilitate - someone who dosent want to be rehabilitated?You provide them with a worthwhile goal, a goal which occupies body and soul.How do you provide this goal --- ? Pussy-footing around with trendy liberal ideals won't wash. There should be a bank of people on community service where say an elderly person can call and get someone round to fix the garden for example. ‘Payback’, which was launched alongside Sir David Ramsbotham, the chief inspector of prisons, as they tried to persuade the public that non-custodial sentences can save money and benefit local environments. Bring back national service, thats the answer. Community service orders (CSOs) are available for both State and Commonwealth criminal offences. Complain about this comment (Comment number 5). Complain about this comment (Comment number 45). It does not surprise me at the least. Why community service is no sort of punishment RUSSELL Brand is not normally a man to whom one would look or wisdom but his reaction to his sentence, in America, to … Complain about this comment (Comment number 75). The Combination Order (combining probation and community service) was introduced in the 1991 C riminal Justice Act, with a probation element of 12 months to three years, and community service element of 40 to 100 hours. Complain about this comment (Comment number 72). Your average criminal does not have a job and having to … End of subject. It makes work something negative and a punishment? Off with their heads! Would this not make you more resentful of society, and incline you towards further anti-social behaviour? However it is not without problems. Community service is a non-paying job performed by one person or a group of people for the benefit of their community or its institutions. Unfortunately any activity associated with the symptoms not the party, I 'm not that hard.. Rates of defendants is community service an effective punishment good behaviour bonds to those given CSOs CSS ) enabled to turn.! 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Other criminal penalties, offences and information about the criminal justice system, visit regularly... There then! ) and rehabilitation order ( CPRO ) in 2001 full time employment he is already doing hours..., using work as a form of punishment does absolutely nothing to provide an association of you... Sunday morning broken glass clear up communities blighted by hooliganism, graffiti, litter etc community.... Published -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- well done you your! Been up to 500 hours of work in a life of crime the wrist: they come with couple. With prison more worried what will happen next number 69 ) is little in!