Abstract
Volunteer Community service by offenders is often required at various stages in criminal justice processing. Although most criminal justice practitioners and the community in general view community service-restitution as punishment, the author argues that volunteer community service in pre-trial diversion can be a means of personal growth and development. Community service is approached from a volunteer development perspective based on adult education and volunteer program management principles. Many adult offenders undergoing transitional change are not aware that learning through the volunteer community service expe rience, with appropriate supervision and guidance, can assist in adaptation and adjustment to change situations in their lives. Often, as a result of community ser vice, defendants learn more about themselves as people and realize their potential as human beings.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.