What about community service?

Answer 1

Works for some people but not others. Some see it as a soft option, some as a turning point. it can have positive outcomes like the criminal seeing the vulnerable people they commit crimes against as human beings with feelings and hard times in their lives. Also some people who were subjected to crime found a sort of relief in meeting criminals and trying to find some common ground with them as people.

Answer 2

To read on paper it probably seems like a good idea, similar to America's 3 strike system and also it will seem a good idea to the person facing it as it is an alternative to prison but in actual fact this is brush under the carpet by the govenment and the money saved is astronomical. It works in many ways for them. Firstly they are getting someone to do something for them for free, getting something done that the public pays for in their taxes already but this way they can keep that money. Secondly a magistrate can give community punishment orders out, again saving money, as were the case to go to crown it would run in to the 10's of thousands of pounds for the same or similar outcome. Finally the price for the government of sending someone to jail is very costly so they try to avoid that at all costs this also lightens the over crowd problems in our prisons. Im sure the our goverment is not proud of this cheap punishment order but they wont change it if they are saving so much money and if it is keep the public quiet they are happy.

Answer 3

Community Service (actually Unpaid Work) is not given for Punishment. When someone goes to court they courts have to give the sentencing reason which includes punishment, rahbilitation, reparation, public protection and another one i can't remember. Unpaid Work comes under the Reparation catergory. The offender is making reparation for the crime by giving back to the community hence the new slogan, Community Payback.
In reference to them turning up in designer gear, they are not allowed. They are giving work boots and stuff but that's for health and safety laws. Some offenders are not suitable for Unpaid Work due to their offences (current of previous). If they don't get up and meet their ride for work, they will be breached and sent back to court. A lot of times the offenders really get something out of it and it spurs them on to get a job and because unemployment is a contributing factor to crime, it can help to reduce re-offending.

Answer 4

Community service is an outrage, and typical of this governments thinking. The probation service sends these criminal types to clean vulnerable peoples gardens, and to paint and decorate for them!! is this the governments way of showing the thugs where the easy pickings are, so that they don't get caught? I say, use them for drug trials, instead of animals, surely the results would be more accurate tested on humans.

Answer 5

Yeah its community service, so what?

Answer 6

It's a good thing, It isnt forced labor, just do something you already enjoy. My best experience was with Big Brother Bis Sister.

Answer 7

A myth! Who is going to get offenders out of bed in the morning, and when they do turn up in their designer gear and bling who is actually going to make them work?
Prison is the answer and lots of it!

Answer 8

Not a real punishment. It's ok for cleaning the roads but not a harsh enough punishment.

Answer 9

I think it is a good thing to put non dangerous criminals to work for the good of the citizens.

Answer 10

What about it? There is a lot of litter and cigarette butts on the roads and sidewalks.