COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS - STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE R ROY MCMURTY, ATTORNEY GENERAL - CANADA

• NCJ Number: 51846
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

ONTARIO'S NEW COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER PROGRAM, WHICH IS BEING INSTITUTED THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE AFTER A LIMITED TRIAL PERIOD, IS DESCRIBED. ITS POTENTIAL AS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR MINOR OFFENDERS IS PRAISED.

Abstract

THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER PROGRAM SENTENCES OFFENDERS TO SPEND A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS HELPING IN THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF SENDING THEM TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. IN SOME CASES DIRECT RESTITUTION IS MADE TO THE VICTIM; FOR EXAMPLE, VANDALS MAY BE ORDERED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSED. TYPICAL SENTENCES INCLUDE HELPING WITH YOUTH PROGRAMS AND SERVING AS VOLUNTEERS IN PROGRAMS FOR THE AGED OR HANDICAPPED. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GREAT BRITAIN. THE LEGAL PROBLEMS ARISING IN CANADA HAVE BEEN SOLVED, AND COURTS HAVE URGED EXPANSION OF THE CONCEPT FOR FIRST TIME OFFENDERS AND THOSE CONVICTED OF MINOR CRIMES. (GLR)