THE APPLICATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE MEASURE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SHORT PRISON SENTENCES IN THE SUPPRESSION OF LESS SERIOUS CRIMES

Abstract

The subject of research in this paper is the application of the alternative measure of community service order as an alternative to short prison sentences in the suppression of less serious crimes. The paper will analyze community service order, with a brief review of its beginnings in European legislation as well as its norming in the Macedonian legislation. Bearing in mind that the prison crisis is a reality, faced with the large number of imposed short prison sentences and the challenge of dealing with prison overcrowding, we are tempted to find suitable alternatives to imprisonment that would fully achieve the goals of punishment. It is the alternative measure of community service order that has numerous advantages over short prison sentences; above all, it is cheaper than a prison sentence, it protects the community from further criminalization, and its originality is that allows the community to be actively involved in the implementation of the measure. The purpose of the paper is to show the usefulness of the application of the alternative measure of community service that is fully performed in the community and has a positive effect on the perpetrator of the crime, who would not cut off his social contacts and feel rejected during the execution of this measure, as well as on the community, which would be actively involved with the help and support of the offender and his proper reintegration into the community.