COMMUNITY SERVICE - ? THOUGHTS?

[Thekopman]

Many of you may have seen my earlier post and will know I was sentenced to 100hrs community service for an ABH. I am 25hrs into my unpaid work and was wondering what others thought of their experience? Deterant, bit of a jolly or what?

[Thekopman]

I have had 3 sessions which have given me 7 and 3/4hrs off my 100hrs each. On each occassion I have probably worked no longer than about 3hrs each day and have been dropped off between 1.30pm and 2pm on each day.Starting at 8.15am means we should finish at 4pm. The work has consisted of cutting weed / overgrown tress down and litter picking. We did paint a 25ft high wall inside of a church yesterday (if health and safety could see us they would have a heart attack) - most of this work was done by the supervisor as I dont believe he wanted to risk sending us up there!

I guess what I am trying to say is that for me this is no deterant and these are the reasons why:

1. Firstly I have 100hrs for which I believe at most half will be served actually doing some kind of work.
2. Most of the day is speant in the minbus looking for things to do or simply visiting places that the supervisor wants to do - bit of shopping here,visiting a friend here etc etc.
3. Our supervisor is an okay sort but I think he is more like one of "us" than someone in authority. He has music in bus blaring and frequently winds down window to stare/heckle girls. Most of the others on the bus love him and see him as a bit of a lad.
4. The reason I wouldnt offend again is that I put my family through a hell of a lot over the last year because of my careless actions. Most on the bus with me arent the same and this is their punishment - a drive around in a minibus doing the odd bit of work and in the house by 2pm.

For me community service is no deterant whatsoever unless the work is true and consistent! You cant blame the criminals on the bus for going along with it as most just want an easy ride!

[ummmm]

I'm not surprised. When my cousin had community service he requested for it to be done in a local boxing club. It was granted. He turned up...got his sheet signed and went home.

[hc4361]

I am totally against community service and prisoners working IF that work could / should be done be proper employees.
Offenders should not be taking jobs off people who want to work and the council should not be benefitting from 'free' labour.
If it were down to me, prisoners would be generating their own electricity on treadmills, rowing machines or static cycles; digging their own latrines and growing their own food.
Community service would mean contributing electricity to the national grid by physical exercise.
Those unable to do physical exercise could make fire bricks from newspapers to keep them warm while they do it.

[Thekopman]

I agree with all 3 of you! The probation office seem in a huge rush to get you through your hours.For example they sent me to working links office for an interview to see if they could offer me any training that would go towards my hours. The guy at the office basically said "why the hell are they sending you here?". Commenting that all they are doing is trying to get their targets for quick completion of community orders.He said there was nothing there for me as I was twice as qualified as him and Working Links was aimed at people with no qualification or experience. He then said - jus turn up here once or twice a week and I will give you a signed form saying you have been here for an hour each time - what a joke! I told him not to worry I will do my hours in the normal fashion thanks!

Another example - I turned up on monday for my latest unpaid work session and one bloke on the van with me had 9hrs left.The supervisor gave hime an "exit questionare" to fill in and told him he was done - just go home he said! Could believe it - the guy only had 80hrs in all so more than 10% just wiped off him.Also this guy didnt turn up the week before either - not well!

Something amazes me about this community service lark every week.I should really go to my local newspaper - they would snatch my hands off for a story.I am not going to do that though-would make me a few enemies I wouldnt want!

[Thekopman]

I agree with all 3 of you! The probation office seem in a huge rush to get you through your hours.For example they sent me to working links office for an interview to see if they could offer me any training that would go towards my hours. The guy at the office basically said "why the hell are they sending you here?". Commenting that all they are doing is trying to get their targets for quick completion of community orders.He said there was nothing there for me as I was twice as qualified as him and Working Links was aimed at people with no qualification or experience. He then said - jus turn up here once or twice a week and I will give you a signed form saying you have been here for an hour each time - what a joke! I told him not to worry I will do my hours in the normal fashion thanks!

Another example - I turned up on monday for my latest unpaid work session and one bloke on the van with me had 9hrs left.The supervisor gave hime an "exit questionare" to fill in and told him he was done - just go home he said! Could believe it - the guy only had 80hrs in all so more than 10% just wiped off him.Also this guy didnt turn up the week before either - not well!

Something amazes me about this community service lark every week.I should really go to my local newspaper - they would snatch my hands off for a story.I am not going to do that though-would make me a few enemies I wouldnt want!