A community sentence is a tough option. It combines punishment with changing the offender's behaviour and making amends - sometimes directly to the victim of the crime. It can also encourage the offender to deal with any problems that might be making an offender commit crimes - like drug addiction.
Courts are able to choose different elements to make up a community order which is relevant to the offender and the crimes committed.
The range of requirements available with within Community Order are:
Supervision
Requires the offender to attend regular appointments with a member of probation staff and undertake work to change attitudes and behaviour.
Visit our supervision section for more information.
Unpaid Work
The offender is required to complete between 40 and 300 hours of mentally or physically demanding work in the community, known as Community Payback. It is designed to punish the for the crimes committed but also to help rehabilitate the offender. Visit our Unpaid Work section for more information.
Offending behaviour programmes
Group or individual programmes designed to challenge and change attitudes and behaviour that contribute to offending.
Visit our Offending Behaviour Programmes section for more information.
Drug rehabilitation
A requirement of at least six months to have treatment to reduce or eliminate dependency on, or misuse of, drugs and to be regularly tested for drug use.
Visit our drug rehabilitation section for more information.
Alcohol treatment
A requirement of at least six months during which the offender is required to attend treatment to reduce or eliminate dependency on alcohol.
Visit our alcohol treatment section for more information.
Curfew
The offender must remain at a specified place for certain periods (between two and 12 hours in any one day) for up to six months of the order being made. This is normally imposed by the monitoring of an electronic tag.
Visit our curfew section for more information.
Participation in any specified activities
A package of varied activities ranging from day centre attendance to education and basic skills assessment to reparation to victims. The court can order a maximum of 60 days' activities.
Prohibition from certain activities
The offender must refrain from participating in activities on a particular day or days or during a period of up to three years. Examples include not entering any licensed premises, attending football matches or communicating with a child.
Exclusion
The offender may not enter a specified place or places for a period of up to two years. This is normally imposed by the monitoring of an electronic tag.
Residence
The offender must reside at the place specified, either an approved hostel or private address.
Mental health treatment
The offender is required to undergo treatment by, or under the direction of, a doctor or psychologist to improve your mental condition.
Breach Of A Community Order
If the offender breach a Community Order the offender may be returned to court to face further sentencing.
Visit our breach section for more information.
