THE DOMINICA EXPERIENCE ALTERNATIVE PUNISHMENT– COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER (CSO)

LEGISLATION Criminal Justice (Reform) Act Chap. 12:35 (1981) An Act to provide reform of Sentencing Powers of the Courts:- Fines Fines Attendance at Day Training Centres Attendance at Day Training Centres Suspended Sentences Suspended Sentences Suspended Sentence Supervision Orders Suspended Sentence Supervision Orders Community Service Order Community Service Order Short Sentences of Imprisonment Short Sentences of Imprisonment

LEGISLATIVE ENFORCEMENT Constraints in imposition of Community Service Orders prior to 2006:- Constraints in imposition of Community Service Orders prior to 2006:- No co-ordination at community level; No co-ordination at community level; Shortage of Probation Officers; Shortage of Probation Officers; Little use of Order by Courts (Less than 10 orders between 1981 and 2005). Little use of Order by Courts (Less than 10 orders between 1981 and 2005).

TURNING POINT Visit in 2005 of personnel from Alternatives to Incarcerations in the Caribbean Institute. Visit in 2005 of personnel from Alternatives to Incarcerations in the Caribbean Institute. Meeting on proposal for Community Service Project. Meeting on proposal for Community Service Project. Training Workshop for Village Councilors. Training Workshop for Village Councilors. Approval by Cabinet of Community Service Project/Project Advisory Committee in two of the three Magisterial Districts. Approval by Cabinet of Community Service Project/Project Advisory Committee in two of the three Magisterial Districts.

TURNING POINT (contd) Public Sensitization Programme using the various Media Houses. Public Sensitization Programme using the various Media Houses. Drafting of necessary forms. Drafting of necessary forms. Meetings with Village/Town Councils to discuss their role as partners in the project. Meetings with Village/Town Councils to discuss their role as partners in the project. Meeting with Commissioner of Police and other gazetted officers. Meeting with Commissioner of Police and other gazetted officers.

TURNING POINT (contd) Meeting with Magistrates to discuss the role of the Court in regards to Community Service Orders. Meeting with Magistrates to discuss the role of the Court in regards to Community Service Orders. Meeting with Probation Officers of the Welfare Division. Meeting with Probation Officers of the Welfare Division. Launch of Community Service Project at Press Conference. Launch of Community Service Project at Press Conference. Courts informed of new mechanisms to allow imposition of Community Service Orders. Courts informed of new mechanisms to allow imposition of Community Service Orders. Meetings with individual Magistrates. Meetings with individual Magistrates.

CURRENT TREND Few orders from Courts (5). Few orders from Courts (5). Identification of limitations in Legislation. Identification of limitations in Legislation. Lack of full co-operation from persons issued Community Service Orders. Lack of full co-operation from persons issued Community Service Orders. Full support from Councilors (Case Study). Full support from Councilors (Case Study). Community Service should cover all Magisterial Districts. Community Service should cover all Magisterial Districts.

FUTURE PLANS Extended Project to include: Re-appointment of Project Advisory Committee; Re-appointment of Project Advisory Committee; Community Service Orders to cover all Magisterial Districts; Community Service Orders to cover all Magisterial Districts; Training for counterpart Agency Personnel; Training for counterpart Agency Personnel;

FUTURE PLANS (contd) Revision of Legislation: Revision of Legislation: Juveniles performing Community Service – from 16 years; Juveniles performing Community Service – from 16 years; Combination Orders, that is an Order for Community Service in addition to supervision by a Probation Officer, to help offenders in behaviour modification; Combination Orders, that is an Order for Community Service in addition to supervision by a Probation Officer, to help offenders in behaviour modification; Conviction while on Community Service as a breach; Conviction while on Community Service as a breach; Legislation to set timeframe within which work should be performed; Legislation to set timeframe within which work should be performed; Community Service Regulations; Community Service Regulations; Variation or Revocation of Orders. Variation or Revocation of Orders.

THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING