Access for Women: Flexible and Friendly? (From Paying Back: Twenty Years of Community Service, P 59-88, 1993, Dick Whitfield and David Scott, eds. - See NCJ-170422)

• NCJ Number: 170426
• Author(s): J Hine
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 30 pages
• Sale Source: Waterside Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article examines whether female offenders have the same opportunity as male offenders to experience community service.

Abstract

In addition to examining whether female and male offenders have equal opportunities for community service (CS), the article addresses whether implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 has improved female offenders' access to community service. The Act changed the basis of community service as a sentence option for the courts and specifically includes provisions about equality issues. The article also examines patterns in sentencing, patterns in offending, and the role of social inquiry reports. There is no evidence to suggest that women and men in similar circumstances are sentenced differently. The article suggests the need for: demonstrations that women in a range of circumstances can and do successfully complete CS orders; persuasive efforts to convince women that CS would be a worthwhile option for them; persuading more probation officers to refer women for CS; and persuading courts that CS is a viable sentencing option for women in a range of domestic circumstances. Tables, references