The Cabinet approved the Ministry of Justice’s proposals for amending the regulations concerning community service as an alternative punishment.

Under the new provisions, community service will be done for two to four hours a day outside the main job or studies. At the request or with the consent of the convict, community service could be done for at most eight hours a day if the convict does not study or work fulltime, IPN reports.

Community service for minors aged between 16 and 18 will last for two to seven hours a day and will be done during leisure time or after courses or the main job, not yet at night or in harmful conditions and places that pose a threat to the health and integrity of persons.

The person given community service is obliged to work according to the schedule drawn up together with the probation counselor and to immediately inform about any change of the domicile, residence or workplace that can influence the fulfillment of punishment.

The changes were made for the purpose of consolidating the probation system by applying alternatives to detention. Community service is given by court to a person who committed an offense and consists in the individual or group involvement in free, socially useful work, without causing physical suffering or affecting the dignity of the convict.