COMMUNITY SERVICE
Community service is a non-custodial punishment by which, after conviction, the court, with the consent of the offender, makes an orderfor the offender to serve the community rather than undergo imprisonment.
Offenders are required to perform hours of unpaid work at Public Institutions for the benefit of the Community. Such work may include
cleaning, construction, tree planting, brick making, professional work like teaching, carpentry, etc.
HOW DOES A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER WORK
After sentencing, an offender is placed at an institution within his/her locality to perform unpaid work. The sentence is served under the
supervision of the head of the placement Institution. The offender resides at his/her home while serving the sentence. The work performedmust be for the benefit of the community and not an individual. During and after the sentence, the offender is followed up to ensure he/she is reintegrated into the community. If an offender fails to comply with the order, he/she is re-arrested, the community service order cancelled and an alternative sentence of imprisonment given.
BENEFITS OF A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER
- Promotes reconciliation between offenders and victims
- The community benefits from unpaid work performed by offenders
- Offenders remain together with their families as they serve the sentences
- Rehabilitates offenders through acquisition of skills
- Through social re-integration, offenders are supported to become law abiding and acquire ethically acceptable behavior so that they keep away from criminal tendencies.
- Fosters a sense of social responsibility