The Role of Community Service Sentence in Rehabilitating the Criminally Convict: A comparative Study

Dr. Rami Omar Abu Rukba Dr. MalekHamad AbuNaseir

Abstract

Abstract

There are many debates on the custodial punishments among the specialists in the contemporary sanction policies. Custodial punishments aim at deterring the public from committing crimes. They aim at deterring the convict himself/ herself from committing crimes. The effectiveness of custodial punishments has been questioned recently.  It has been proved that the disadvantages of custodial punishments are greater than the advantages of such punishments. Therefore, several legislators started enforcing community sentences as alternatives for custodial punishments. That is because community sentences have proved their effectiveness in reducing the number of convicts in prisons. It is because community sentences have proved their effectiveness in sparing convicts the negative impacts of serving time in prison. It is because community sentences can be customized in accordance with the personality and conditions of the convict. Through enforcing community sentences, public interests can be met. Through enforcing community sentences, costs shall be reduced and free services shall be provided to the members of the society by the convicts. Community sentences are enforced in order for convicts to compensate the members of the society for the social damages they have caused.