COMMUNITY service orders are a success, according to Home minister Geoff Mahy. Although the first person to receive one has been jailed after breaching it, 19 others have stuck to their orders and Deputy Mahy believes they are worth pursuing.

‘If 19 out of every 20 people complete it, then it’s a success. In a way it’s good that someone hasn’t complied with it, because it shows that you won’t get away with it,’ he said.

‘It’s an alternative form of punishment to prison and unless the people who are given them comply exactly as directed, they will go back to court and a custodial sentence will be given.’

The orders were introduced on 20 October. They are a penalty on the free time of offenders who are ordered to work a certain number of hours on community projects.

Offenders can keep their jobs and stay at home with their families, but have to carry out five hours of supervised work at the weekends.

The first order was issued on 22 November to 23-year-old Craig Leaman for disorderly behaviour. After failing to turn up to three of his sessions, he was sent to prison for six weeks.

Chief probation officer Anna Guilbert, pictured right, said that so far Leaman was the only one to have breached the conditions.

Offenders have worked on projects including clearing scrub from around the boundary of the Scouts’ Rue Mainguy headquarters and tidying the grounds of Vale Castle and the Guet.

Feedback from the charities that have participated has been very positive, said Mrs Guilbert.

The offenders’ reactions have been mixed.

‘Some of them have found it extremely hard work – some are working in their day jobs for six days a week on top of the community service work – but that’s the whole point of this, that they give back to the community in their time. It’s to keep people out of prison who could otherwise contribute to society.’

The system is based on a model that has been used in Jersey for 23 years where it has been shown to be effective in preventing reoffending.

It is only on trial in Guernsey and after two years a report will be made to the States outlining its benefits or shortcomings. A decision will then be made whether to keep it in place.

* Any charity wishing to know more about getting involved with the scheme can contact the Probation Service on 724337.