COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCING - SOCIAL RESTITUTION TO THE COMMUNITY (FROM ALTERNATIVES TO PRISONS - ISSUES AND OPTIONS, 1979, BY RODGER O DARNELL ET AL - SEE NCJ-65192)

• NCJ Number: 65192
• Author(s): G R ROSBERG
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Iowa
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A DES MOINES, IOWA, COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCING PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED, AND ITS BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCING PROGRAM (CSSP), BEGUN IN 1978, OFFERS CERTAIN OFFENDERS THE OPTION OF WORKING WITHOUT PAY IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTEAD OF FULFILLING TRADITIONAL SENTENCES. THE PROGRAM IS GENERALLY OFFERED AS AN OPTION FOR FELONS AND MISDEMEANANTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE JAILED, FINED, OR PARTICIPATE IN DIVERSION OR PROBATION PROGRAMS, THE CSSP PROVIDES OFFENDER SERVICES FOR OVER 40 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, RANGING FROM THE BOYS CLUB AND TUTORING TO HOSPITALS, DAY CARE CENTERS AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS. THE OFFENDERS BENEFIT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT INCARCERATED, REQUIRED TO PAY FINES, OR PLACED ON OVER-BURDENED PROBATION CASELOADS. MOREOVER, THERE IS NO CRIMINAL RECORD OF THE OFFENSE. THE CORRECTIONS AGENCY ALSO BENEFITS BY INCREASING ITS SENTENCING OPTIONS AT MINIMAL EXPENSE, AND THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM THE SERVICES PERFORMED AND SAVINGS IN TAX MONEY. ALTHOUGH THE PROGRAM IS OPTIONAL, IT IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE POOR WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FINE OPTION IN LIEU OF SERVICE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PARTICIPANTS PERCEIVE VALUE IN THE WORK PERFORMED AND THAT THE WORK BE COMMENSURATE WTIH THEIR SKILLS AND INTERESTS. OTHERWISE, THE PROGRAM MAY HAVE AN OVERALL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE OFFENDERS AND THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVED. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)