Programs that hold adult and youth offenders accountable for their crimes by having them spend a specified number of hours serving the community or crime victims through uncompensated work in lieu of a fine, restitution or jail. Community service orders (CSOs) may also be issued as a condition of probation by the court as a sanction, or it may be stipulated as a condition of diversion. Offenders can work for churches, hospitals, nursing homes, municipalities and other public and nonprofit organizations. CSOs are usually arranged and monitored through a corrections agency, but work assignments and supervision at the work site are normally the responsibility of a community organization such as a local volunteer centre or a public agency.

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Community-based programs that provide and/or coordinate the delivery of individual, group and family counselling, training, employment assistance and other prescribed social services for individuals who have been arrested for a minor offence and directed to participate in an educational or treatment program in lieu of prosecution for the offence. In most cases, the courts suspend prosecution for a prescribed period and dismiss charges altogether against those who successfully complete the program. Included are jail diversion programs which ensure that mentally ill offenders receive treatment and support services rather than spend time in jail.

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Programs that offer sentencing alternatives, including a specified number of hours of community service in a nonprofit agency, admission to a treatment program (where relevant) or other options, to ensure that people cited for ordinance violations are not incarcerated solely because of their inability to pay all or a portion of the fine normally assessed as punishment for the offence. Offenders may be required to meet income guideline to be eligible for consideration.

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Programs that offer classes which are designed to help offenders accept responsibility for their criminal actions, understand the impact of crime on victims and the community, and refrain from future criminal behaviour. Individual classes may focus on specific types of crimes (generally those involving a personal relationship such as domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse or bullying) or may be intended for a broader range of offenders (e.g., those involved in property crimes, drunk driving, drug-related crimes, robbery, gang violence, sexual assault, homicide). The classes may involve personal presentations by victims of crimes (not specific victims of offenders in attendance but victims in unrelated cases) who describe how their victimization has affected their lives. Parents of incarcerated youth and people who provide services for victims may also participate. Offenders are encouraged to enter into a dialogue with the guest speakers. Victim impact classes have been adapted for both adult and juvenile offenders (the majority being for juveniles) in diversion, probation, prison, pre-release, detention, and parole supervised settings.

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