Community service option extended to more offenders
The proposed amendments would allow offenders convicted of crimes punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, and who reside near a compulsory attendance centre, to be eligible for alternative sentencing.
Individuals facing imprisonment for failing to pay fines would also qualify under the revised law.
Offenders will be required to undertake compulsory work for a period not exceeding 12 months and not more than four hours a day.
However, before granting such an order, the court must assess whether the offender would be adequately punished by a prison sentence not exceeding three years, and take into account the individual's character, as stipulated in the amended Section 5(1A) of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954.
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