NCJ Number
17153
Editor(s)
J HARDING
Date Published
1974
Length
63 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON THIS PILOT COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS PROGRAM SET UP IN SIX BRITISH PROBATION AREAS AND DESIGNED TO PRESENT THE COURTS WITH AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE.
Abstract
UNDER THIS PROGRAM, OFFENDERS ARE 'SENTENCED' TO A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK TO BE PERFORMED IN THEIR LEISURE AND/OR AFTER WORK HOURS. OFFENDERS USUALLY SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS IN COMMUNITY AGENCIES. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED INCLUDING COLLECTING SUITABLE TASKS FROM VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS, DISCUSSION AND TRAINING WITH JUDGES, MAGISTRATES, AND COURT CLERKS, AND INFORMING PROBATION OFFICERS ABOUT THE PROGRAM. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE SELECTION OF OFFENDERS FOR THE PROGRAM, THE MATCHING OF OFFENDERS TO AVAILABLE COMMUNITY SERVICE JOBS, THE PATTERN OF WORK, AND THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN MANING THE PROJECT. THE RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE ON THE PART OF OFFENDERS, THE PROBATION SERVICE, AND THE PUBLIC IS ALSO DISCUSSED. FIVE BRIEF CASE STUDIES OF OFFENDERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM ARE PRESENTED, ALONG WITH THE WRITTEN REACTIONS OF PROGRAM SUPERVISORS AND PARTICIPANTS. A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS LISTS OF THE TASKS PERFORMED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT, AND SOME DATA ON THE PROGRAM ITSELF.