Community service : a community-based alternative sanction to imprisonment : the local scenario

Abstract

The major aim of this research is to describe the experience of Community Service Orders (CSO) from the perspective of offenders who have completed successfully such an order or are in the process of completing it within the local context, with particular reference to rehabilitation, restitution and reintegration of the offender in the community. This research study, shall also provide more information on this relatively new sanction, which information could prove useful to professionals such as Probation Officers, Social Workers and policy makers, as well the general public thus raising greater awareness on the subject area. To enable the achievement of the above aims of the research study, I have conducted semi structured qualitative interviews with 11 offenders, who have been handed a CSO or a Combination Order (CO) by the Criminal Courts of Justice since the local introduction of the Order in 2003, where in all, 66.5% of the total number of hours handed, have been taken into consideration. Indeed, the qualitative approach has been pertinent in gaining a deep and rich understanding of participants' experience. Confidentiality was given significant importance throughout the whole study. From the research study conducted, one can outline a number of main findings, which can be seen as highly relating to the rehabilitative aspect of CSO. To begin with, research participants have expressed a general positive experience with regards to their CSO experience. Moreover, the majority of participants regarded CSO as a means by which they could reintegrate in society, rehabilitate themselves and also return something back to society, thus paying for the harm they have committed. All this was regarded as being achieved through the provision of their work and services, where despite the fact that this was seen as taxing by the majority of participants, this was however a source of great fulfilment. Meanwhile, all participants referred to prison in very negative terms, where it was regarded as a place which does not fulfil rehabilitative purposes. It can be therefore concluded that this alternative sanction to imprisonment is providing offenders with the opportunity to remain in the community, thus be able to maintain family and community ties as well as retain their employment, whilst being punished for the harm committed. Moreover, through such sanction, both the placement providers, as well as the general community are benefiting, particularly through useful unpaid work and service. One can therefore conclude that despite being a relatively new alternative sanction to imprisonment, CSO appears to be reaching its main aims of rehabilitation, restitution as well as reintegration of offenders into society. Indeed, it can be asserted that CSOs are highly effective community-based sanctions.