Community Service

Question 1

Community Service

Answer 1

is work an offender must perform, without pay, and for the benefit of the community.

Offenders work at community service worksites that enter into a formal agreement with the Department, and provide offenders with community service to comply with condition of supervision.

Community service worksites can include:
• humane society, animal shelters
• state parks
• county work details
• homeless shelters
• religious organizations
• not-for-profit organizations
• soup kitchens
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts
• American Legion Posts
• United Way

Question 2

Community Service Restrictions

Answer 2

Work with an offender to determine their skills, abilities, and interests when directing them to a community service worksite. Section 948.031, F.S., states that community service sites may restrict offenders from performing community service work based on a criminal history that may compromise public safety.

Some worksites do not allow offenders with violent charges to complete community service at their location. Local probation offices have a list of Department-approved community service sites that allow offenders to complete required community service hours. This list contains restrictions imposed by the worksite.

Question 3

Community Service Worksite Approval Process

Answer 3

If an offender wishes to complete community service hours at an unregistered site, instruct the offender that any hours worked are not acceptable at an unregistered site. Provide the offender with a worksite agreement form with instructions to have the unregistered community service site complete the form. Once the form is complete and returned with documentation of tax-exempt certification, the Department may approve the site, and the offender can then complete community service hours

Question 4

Community Service in lieu of Restitution

Answer 4

Some sentencing authorities allow offenders to complete community service hours in lieu of court costs and fines. The sentencing authority may specify an hourly rate for work performed by an offender. These hours are in addition to any hours ordered as a special condition of supervision. Offenders should complete sentencing authority community service hours before performing hours to pay off financial obligations. The offender will document completed hours on the Notice of Assignment form and submit the form to their supervising officer for verification with the worksite and entry in OBIS

Question 5

Community Service Requirements

Answer 5

Enter the minimum monthly requirement of community service hours on the Public Service Hours screen. Instruct an offender to complete community service requirements at the assigned worksite and to sign the Florida Standard Conditions of Supervision form documenting offender acknowledgement.