NCJ Number
156411
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 163-177
Date Published
1995
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Although community work has been available as a sentencing disposition in Australia for about 15 years, little is known about the relative impact of different community work placements on offenders.
Abstract
There is some evidence that, when offenders are placed at work sites with other offenders, they may be influenced by those offenders and in turn become more criminal. On the other hand, offenders who are placed at work sites where they either work on their own or with community residents may be influenced in a more prosocial direction. In considering the issue of community work, the current study indicates that offenders placed at work sites with other offenders are more likely to breach their orders in comparison to those placed at individual work sites. While those placed at group work sites are more likely to be high-risk offenders, differences remain significant even when risk levels are taken into account. Implications of the study findings for criminological theory and social policy are discussed. 26 references and 5 tables