NCJ Number
52851
Journal
Probation Journal Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 126-130
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
FACTORS IN THE BRITISH PROBATION SERVICE'S IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS, FIRST INTRODUCED AS A SENTENCING OPTION IN THE EARLY 1970'S, ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
AS THE DEBATE CONTINUES ABOUT WHETHER THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CUSTODY OR AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE, THE CONCEPT, AS IT STANDS, IS SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO PERMIT PROBATION OFFICERS TO RECOMMEND COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR A VARIETY OF OFFENDERS. ANY STRICTER DEFINITION WOULD ONLY SERVE TO LIMIT THE UTILITY OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER. THREE ELEMENTS OF A SENTENCE--PUNISHMENT, REHABILITATION, AND REPARATION--ALL ARE PRESENT IN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER AND ARE THE REASON FOR ITS FLEXIBILITY. ALTHOUGH THESE ELEMENTS MAY BE PRESENT IN OTHER SENTENCES, THEY ARE PARTICULARLY FINELY BALANCED IN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER. IN IMPLEMENTING THE ORDERS, THE PROBATION SERVICE HAS ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS HAVE PLACED OFFENDERS IN THE LIMELIGHT. THE PROBATION SERVICE VIEWS THE ORDERS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CAST OFFENDERS IN A GIVING ROLE RATHER THAN A TAKING ROLE AND HAS PROMOTED THE IDEA OF OFFENDERS WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE RESULT HAS BEEN THAT OFFENDERS HAVE DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, WHEREAS IN THE PAST, OFFENDERS USUALLY INTERACTED ONLY WITH THEIR PAROLE OFFICERS. IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS HAS ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT AN INCREASE IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF AUXILIARY PERSONNEL IN THE PROBATION SERVICE, AND PROBATION OFFICERS' AMBIVALENCE ABOUT SHARING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH SUCH PERSONNEL CONTINUES. IN ITS EFFORTS TO CONVINCE THE COURTS OF THE UTILITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS, THE PROBATION SERVICE HAS BEEN CAREFUL TO TAKE COURT ACTION AGAINST OFFENDERS WHO BREACH THEIR ORDERS. THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCE OF THIS EFFORT MAY BE THAT THE COURTS WILL LOOK TO THE PROBATION SERVICE TO TAKE FIRMER ACTION AGAINST OTHER CLIENTS WHO DO NOT MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS. IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS HAS MEANT A CHANGE IN THE ROLE OF THE PROBATION OFFICER, WHOSE WORK WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER CLIENTS INVOLVES LESS DIRECT CONTACT AND MORE BACKGROUND EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OFFENDER-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. SUCH DEVELOPMENTS MAY IMPLY A NEED TO REDEFINE THE PROBATION OFFICER'S ROLE.