NCJ Number
41430
Journal
OFFENDER REHABILITATION Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1976-1977) Pages: 143-146
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER CONCEPT IN GREAT BRITAIN, AND PRESENTS INFORMATION ON ITS LEGAL BASES, THE RATIONALE FOR THIS ALTERNATIVE, AND CRITICISMS OF THIS SENTENCE.
Abstract
IN JANUARY 1973, COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHEMES WERE SET UP ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS IN SIX PROBATION AND AFTERCARE AREAS IN GREAT BRITAIN. THIS CONCEPT WAS EXTENDED TO PROBATION AND AFTERCARE COMMITTEES THROUGHOUT ENGLAND AND WALES DURING 1975. LEGAL ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ARE INCORPORATED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT OF 1972. IN GENERAL, THIS PROVIDES THAT A COURT DEALING WITH A PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 17 WHO IS CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT MAY MAKE A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER REQUIRING THE OFFENDER TO PERFORM UNPAID WORK FOR BETWEEN 40 AND 240 HOURS WITHIN <2 MONTHS FOLLOWING THE ORDER. EVALUATION EFFORTS TO DATE HAVE NOT PROVEN INDICATED THAT THE SENTENCE MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR INDICATED THAT THE SENTENCE MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS. WHILE CRITICS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER CONTEND THAT THE SENTENCE IS NOT A REAL REFORM AND ONLY SERVES TO COVER UP THE CONTINUED OPPRESSION OF OFFENDERS, THE AUTHOR STATES THAT THIS REFORM IS A VALUABLE MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION....DMC