Community Service – Punishment involving the criminal doing a set number of hours of physical labour per week in their community

To remember the meaning of the term Community Service, use the following mnemonic:

I'm committing you nitwits to serve this (community service) local area.

Community service is sometimes referred to as 'community payback' – i.e., giving something back to the local area.

A community sentence might be given if the offender is convicted of a crime that doesn’t warrant a prison sentence.

It means doing unpaid work in the local community. This could be cleaning up an area, removing litter and weeds, or perhaps repainting buildings or a playground.

This kind of sentence is usually given for less serious crimes such as damaging property or causing a disturbance. A judge or magistrates' bench might consider it to have a better effect than sending the person to prison.

Community sentences permit people to continue working, doing the payback in the evenings or at weekends, which means they are able to keep their job.

NOTE: Many religions encourage voluntary community service, but this is nothing to do with the punishment of criminals, simply a desire to help.