SELAK: APPROVED COMMUNITY SERVICE IN 37 PRISON SENTENCE CASES

BANJA LUKA, JULY 13 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Justice Minister Goran Selak told SRNA that since the introduction of legislation allowing prison sentences to be replaced with community service, courts have approved the measure in 37 cases at the request of convicted offenders.

Selak said the alternative sanction is most commonly imposed for traffic-related offences, illegal logging, assault and other less serious criminal offences. "Community service is an alternative criminal sanction that allows an offender, at his or her request, to perform work benefiting the community instead of serving a prison sentence of up to one year. The work is carried out in public enterprises or public institutions," Selak explained. He noted that the measure is intended to support the rehabilitation of offenders, reduce pressure on correctional institutions and provide benefits to local communities. It is regulated by the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Misdemeanour Sanctions and the Rulebook on the Implementation of Community Service. According to Selak, once the competent court issues a decision replacing a prison sentence with community service, the justice minister issues an order assigning the convicted person to a legal entity where the work can be carried out. "Since community service is performed in the offender's place of residence, it was important for us to bring together representatives of public enterprises, institutions and municipal Red Cross organizations from across Republika Srpska in order to ensure sufficient local capacity for implementing this alternative criminal sanction," Selak said. He added that since the measure was introduced, the ministry has established cooperation with about 50 partner organizations, including public utility companies, municipal and city Red Cross organizations and a smaller number of public institutions where community service can be performed. Selak stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the Republika Srpska Ministry of Justice and local communities. "We are very satisfied with the seriousness and commitment shown by our partner organizations in implementing community service. I invite all legal entities that meet the prescribed requirements and are interested in participating to apply under the Ministry of Justice's public call so that we can continue this pace of cooperation," Selak said. Selak described community service as one of the most effective alternative sanctions in modern criminal law. "It brings multiple benefits to the community, reduces social and budgetary costs, contributes to the rehabilitation of offenders and serves the public interest," Selak concluded. The amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska allowing prison sentences to be replaced with community service entered into force on March 23 this year.