community service order
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alternatives to prison
- In prison: Other penalties
…instituted the use of the community service order, also known as a noncustodial penalty. Under such an arrangement the court is empowered to order anyone convicted of an offense that could be punished with imprisonment to perform a specified number of hours of unpaid work for the community, usually over…
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diversion programs
- In diversion: Forms of diversion
Community service requires the offender to work for a community agency. It is unpaid service to the public, which symbolically atones for the harm caused by the crime. Both restitution and community service provide victims and the community with compensation, and they provide alternatives for…
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restorative justice
- In restorative justice: Community service
Another important component of restorative justice is community service, which is used as a means of repairing damage to the community. Court-ordered community service requires an offender to perform a specific number of hours of free work for a charitable agency, nonprofit organization,…
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