Funded by and under the authority of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Program Description

A Community Service Order (C.S.O.) is a community based sentencing option utilized by the courts, whereby an offender is mandated to perform a determined number of hours of community service at a non-profit organization.

A C.S.O. is normally a condition of the offender’s probation order. It can also be a conditional sentence or a separate order of disposition in the case of a young person.

It is a program that involves volunteer hours fulfilled by an offender at an established non-profit organization.  It allows those individuals who have committed minor offences to remain in the community rather than go to jail. Clients who receive a C.S.O. as an alternative to incarceration are primarily offenders whom the judge considers suitable for this program.  They are people with an interest in paying their debt to society by working in their community. Some common offences include theft, shoplifting, break and enter and assault.

C.S.O. Program Services

The program serves the Niagara Region and works with young persons (16-17) as well as adults.

John Howard Society of Niagara’s C.S.O. Coordinator interviews each probationer and matches the client with the activity that best suits the needs of the individual and the agency. The coordinator monitors and oversees the supervision of the offender’s community service work through to the completion of his/her order.

An important part of this program is liaising with respective probation officers, all the participating non-profit organizations and Court officials when necessary.

As per policy, all clients are advised to treat their community work as though it is a paid position and reciprocally placement agencies are requested to treat the clients as volunteers, with an understanding that they will maintain the client’s confidentiality. It has been our experience that those placements where probationers are accepted warmly as volunteers, and where efforts are made to provide them with interesting work are the ones which retain a significant number of volunteers.

The program currently utilizes approximately three hundred (300) Regional Community Agencies and Groups as placements.  Clients have been placed with various agencies such as the Homes for Senior Citizens, the Y.M.C.A.s and Y.W.C.A.s, Regional Children’s Day Cares, Associations for Community Living, Churches and Schools, Service Clubs such as Kidney Foundation, Diabetes Association etc., charitable organizations like the various thrift stores, food banks, Out of the Cold programs, to mention just a few.

There are many different types of jobs that a client may perform. Some examples are as follows:

Maintenance, yard work, spring cleaning, office work, computer work, special projects, woodworking, crafts, time/score keeping for various sports activities, assisting Seniors, helping teachers in the classroom, etc.

Benefits

For Offender

• It provides them with the opportunity to contribute to society by working within the community.
• It gives them a chance to develop positive attitudes, interpersonal skills and self-confidence.

For Participating Agencies

• It gives them an opportunity to get involved in Community programs and learn about them.
• It provides extra volunteer help in the workplace.

For the Community at Large

• It is a cost-efficient alternative, which saves valuable tax dollars by keeping selected offenders in the community rather than sending them to jail.

History

The C.S.O. program has been delivered by the John Howard Society of Niagara since 1979 and is funded by the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services.

Philosophy

This is a rehabilitative rather than punitive program.  It provides people in trouble with the law the opportunity to make amends for their wrongdoing, in a positive manner.

Information for Co-op Students/Volunteers

C.S.O.  PROCESS

1. A file is received from the Probation Office.
2. An Intake appointment is scheduled through the probation office.
3. An initial assessment is conducted during Intake.
4. A placement is secured as per the client’s choices.
5. The client is monitored through to the completion of the C.S.O.
6. Follow up calls are made to each client at least on a monthly basis when possible and more frequently to non-compliant clients.
7. Data of clients’ placements and progress of C.S.O. is maintained, utilizing computerized instruments of recording.
8. Stats are formulated and compiled during the first four working days of the month by contacting all participating placement agencies for collecting the number of hours performed by each client in placement.
9. A file count is done each month after stats are completed for physical accountability of all the files on the caseload.
10. Up to date, clear and concise case recording is to be maintained in each file.
11. Correspondence involves sending out placement packages to clients and agencies and writing breach reports for the purpose of laying charges against non-compliant clients.
12. Attend court when subpoenaed as a witness against the charged individual.
13. Communicate with Probation Officers regarding their respective clients, on a regular basis.
14. A Ministry ‘termination report’ is filled out and sent to Probation upon completion, incomplete closure or transfer of a file.

SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

• Learn about all other correctional programs.
• Attend Court with Bail and Diversion program workers.
• Learn about the Employment programs from Job Gym
• Inclusion to professional development that may be offered to staff.
• Attend staff meetings.