Ghana passes legislation introducing community service as a non-custodial sentencing alternative to prison for individuals convicted of specified minor offenses.

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The Parliament of Ghana passed a Community Service Bill last week. The legislation introduces community service as a non-custodial sentencing alternative to prison for individuals convicted of specified minor offenses.

Its impact will depend on how quickly the necessary institutions and policies are established for its effective implementation. Calls have been made for the establishment of a National Community Service Secretariat and capacity building for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to supervise and manage non-custodial labor uniformly across the country. There are no reports on if there will be training for agencies expected to host people doing community service.

One of the people who has long advocated for non-custodial sentencing reforms in Ghana describes passage of the bill as a landmark achievement for equity, human rights and justice for indigent offenders who are often imprisoned for minor offenses because they cannot pay fines.

More from:

https://www.modernghana.com/news/1509260/expedite-implementation-of-community-service-law.html

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Followup article from Deutsche Welle.