community sentences (2.3)

Why are community sentences imposed

Community sentences are imposed for offences which are too serious for a discharge or a fine but not so serious that a prison sentence is necessary.

Requirements of a community order

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What does a probation officer do

Supervision by a probation officer is a requirement of the court

What is community payback

Community payback is a requirement between 40 and 300 hours of unpaid work

What types of orders of restraint are given

A set curfew or exclusion order; order that prohibits a person from entering a specific place, such as a home or a particular area.

What type of residency can be given

A residency requirement - e.g to live at a supervised, probation-approved hostel

What types of group programmes are given

Group programme- anger management, drink drivers

What types of treatment are required

Treatment for drug or alcohol addiction (including testing) or for mental health problems

Community sentences meeting their punishment aims

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How does retribution meet its punishment aims

All community sentences must include an element of punishment or retribution

What is an example of retribution

Curfews and exclusion orders restrict offenders’ movements to certain times and places. Makes the offender suffer limits of their freedom

How are offenders named and shamed for retribution

Those doing unpaid work have to wear high visibility vests with ‘community payback’ on the back. The public ‘naming and shaming’ that this involves is also a form of retribution

How can reparation meet the aim of punishment of community service

Reparation can include doing unpaid work to repair the damage they have caused to a victim’s property.

How can unpaid work may be reparation to the whole community

Reparation may be to the whole community through unpaid work on Community Payback, e.g- removing graffiti, clearing wasteland or decorating a public building such as a community centre

How can public protection meet the aim of punishment to community sentences

All sentences must include public protection as one of their aims. Because community sentences do not lock offenders up, they do not achieve the aim of incapacitating offenders.

Heat can breaches of a community sentence lead to

Breaches of a community sentence can lead to the offender being sent to prison

How can community sentences aim for rehabilitation

Addressing the needs of homelessness, drug misuse, mental health problems, unemployment and educational needs, such as requiring offenders to undergo treatment for their addiction problems, or undertake an activity such as training to improve their job prospects

What have studies shown on community sentences

Studies have repeatedly shown that community sentences are more effective at rehabilitating offenders and preventing recidivism than short prison sentences (the main alternative to community sentences)