In Singapore, a community-based sentence (CBS) is a form of punishment given to certain offenders – such as those who committed minor crimes, young offenders or offenders who suffer from mental disorders. Community-based Sentences are an alternative to prison time or a fine in these situations.
Instead of taking a punitive approach, CBS aims to help offenders rehabilitate themselves and reintegrate into society. The idea behind community-based sentences is to encourage the offenders to take responsibility for their actions whilst allowing them to continue living their lives normally.
Read more: Community-Based Sentencing Principles
Types of CBS in Singapore
CBS was introduced in 2010 to give the courts more flexibility in sentencing options. It also allows the courts to consider important factors such as the offender’s age, reform prospects, and mental condition.
When used appropriately, CBS serves to provide rehabilitative opportunities while acting as deterrence for illegal activities. The courts can issue the appropriate CBS based on their evaluation of each specific case.
Here are the different types of CBS in Singapore:
- Mandatory treatment order
- Day reporting order
- Community work order
- Community service order
- Short detention order
Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO)
A Mandatory Treatment Order is an order made by a court that requires a person with a mental disorder to undergo treatment for that disorder.
Before issuing an MTO, the judge will ask for a report from a court-appointed psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). The treatment may be administered for a period of up to 36 months.
A person may be made the subject of an MTO if the court is satisfied that the person has a psychiatric condition; the psychiatric condition is susceptible and suitable for treatment, and the psychiatric condition is one of the factors contributing to the commission of the offence.
Day Reporting Order (DRO)
A Day Reporting Order involves counselling, rehabilitation, and monitoring programs administered to offenders at a designated day reporting centre.
The Singapore Prison Service manages the programs, and the duration can be between 3 and 12 months.
Before imposing the DRO, the court considers the offender’s character and the nature of the offence. Furthermore, the court will ask for a DRO officer’s report to evaluate these programs’ suitability and the possible effect on the offender.
Community Work Order (CWO)
This type of community sentence mandates the offender to undertake community work related to their offence. A community work officer supervises the unpaid work.
Community Service Order (CSO)
Offenders are required to make amends by performing supervised community service. Courts evaluate the offender’s physical and mental health conditions while determining if the community service will help reform the offender before issuing a CSO.
Short Detention Order (SDO)
SDO aims to allow offenders to get a first-hand experience of prison life. The duration of SDO can be up to two weeks, and when released, the offender will not have a criminal record. Before imposing this order, judges look at the offender’s character and committed offence.
Other rehabilitative sentences
Probation
This is more commonly imposed on offenders below the age of 21 but can also be given to older adult offenders if the courts deem it to be an appropriate measure.
A probation officer supervises the offender for a period between 6 months to 3 years. The offenders are required to comply with probation conditions, including community service and curfew requirements.
This type of rehabilitative sentence enables offenders to resume their daily activities while supervising the offenders to ensure that they do not re-offend.
Reformative training
When young offenders commit relatively serious crimes, the court can order reformative training at a training centre for up to 36 months.
Read more: Crime and (Unconventional) Punishment: A Look into Reformative Training
