Magistrates across the Hunter are charged with the difficult task of deciding the fate of hundreds of people in our local and district courts each week.
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Offenders are dealt with in many ways, from the charges being dismissed right through to a jail sentence being imposed.
From time to time magistrates seek pre-sentence reports to assess the suitability of an offender to perform community service work.
The community service order allows an offender to work off and repay their debt to the community.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research studies show that offenders given a community service order are often less likely to reoffend than people who are given bonds.
On that note it’s pleasing to see that a group of offenders given community service orders have been hard at work beautifying historical cemeteries across the Maitland region.
Their efforts at Lochinvar, Bishops Bridge and Branxton cemeteries are estimated to have saved the community as much as $50,000.
“This is all about people repaying the community for their behaviour and each person is carefully vetted and assessed for community safety,” Maitland Community Corrections manager Daniel Wilson told the Mercury.
Mr Wilson is right when he says it is important for these people feel that the work they are doing is fulfilling and that they are repaying the community.
And that’s why it’s pleasing to learn that some in our community have also stopped by the cemeteries to personally thank those taking part in the program.
It’s a win-win for everyone.
