MANY MAY THINK community service is an ineffective form of punishment. But, to some it is a very effective form of rehabilitating wrongdoers.
Community service is usually reserved for minor offences such as simple larceny, possession of marijauna or offensive weapon and forgery. In many cases, community service is also handed down with a fine. A minor infraction will attract at least 40 hours of community service, while a more serious offence will attract 360 hours. The probation officer usually assigns a location and the activities to be done are usually decided by the needs of the institution where the person is sent.
APPEAL
Several entertainers, including Lady Saw, have been sentenced to community service for the use of indecent language during their performances. Probation officer, Dwight Kellier, told THE STAR that entertainers hardly go through with the sentence and often appeal on the grounds that they do not have the time. He added also that all persons sentenced to perform community service may express their desire not to do it and would be disciplined otherwise.
Although he said, most persons usually cooperate, the few who are assigned to community service but refuse to do their duties are usually taken back to court and another, more stringent sentence imposed.
Kellier was quick to add that community service was not designed to humble anyone but rather to give them the desire to seek employment. He told THE STAR, "It is something designed to make people feel worthwhile and to make them of value to themselves."
He spoke also of persons who continued giving voluntary service long after their stipulated time had expired. He also told the STAR that community service has many more benefits than disadvantages, and, said it prevented a further overpopulation of our jails, as one example.
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