Community service is a prison sentence served outside the prison walls, by performing work for the public benefit in institutions designated by the Minister of Public Security.
What is community service?
Community service is a prison sentence served outside the prison walls, by performing work for the public benefit in institutions designated by the Minister of Public Security. Common places include nursing homes, hospitals, soup kitchens, charitable organizations, cleaning work, and more. The maximum period of community service is 9 months (following an amendment based on the recommendations of the Dorner Committee, which expanded it from 6 to 9 months).
The conditions for imposing community service
Three cumulative conditions are required:
The court imposed an actual prison sentence of up to 9 months; a positive opinion was received from the supervisor of community service, an IPS officer who examines the defendant’s suitability; the defendant agreed to serve his sentence in this manner.
How is the supervisor’s opinion prepared?
The supervisor takes into account: the type of offense; prior convictions; probation reports; whether a probation order was issued in the past and whether the defendant complied with it; the medical condition and physical ability to perform; and intelligence information, including concern for harm to the defendant’s own safety or danger to the public.
Who is not eligible for community service?
Anyone regarding whom there is intelligence information that criminal elements may harm them; anyone whose urine tests found drugs; and those with certain health limitations. Important: someone who is disqualified only because of a health limitation is not necessarily sent to prison; the supervisor must examine the possibility of placing them in a workplace that matches their limitations.
Duties of the service worker
Performing the work as required and obeying the supervisor's instructions; notifying of a change of address within 48 hours of the date of the change. The service worker is considered a prisoner and is subject to Israel Prison Service supervision throughout the entire period.
Breach of service work conditions
A breach of the service work conditions may lead to their termination and serving the remainder of the period in prison. The decision is not automatic: the ground, the procedure prescribed by law, and the right to present arguments before a decision on administrative termination must be examined.
Do you receive pay?
No. The service worker does not receive pay and is not considered an employee of the service recipient. Eligibility for income support during the service work period may be checked. Eligibility and the amount depend on National Insurance conditions, including income and family composition; there is no fixed amount or automatic eligibility.
Important point
Service work is not a "perk." Many find it difficult to meet the framework's requirements; proper representation before sentencing is what determines whether the option will be given to serve imprisonment in this way instead of behind bars.
Legal representation at the sentencing stage
Israel Arama, formerly of the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, accompanies defendants through all stages of the criminal proceeding, including optimal preparation for the sentencing stage in which the type of punishment is determined. Contact us for an initial consultation without obligation.
What is community service?
Community service is a prison sentence served outside the prison walls, by performing work for the public benefit in institutions designated by the Minister of Public Security. Common places include nursing homes, hospitals, soup kitchens, charitable organizations, cleaning work, and more. The maximum period of community service is 9 months (following an amendment based on the recommendations of the Dorner Committee, which expanded it from 6 to 9 months).
How is the supervisor’s opinion prepared?
The supervisor takes into account: the type of offense; prior convictions; probation reports; whether a probation order was issued in the past and whether the defendant complied with it; the medical condition and physical ability to perform; and intelligence information, including concern for harm to the defendant’s own safety or danger to the public.
Breach of service work conditions — what is important to know?
A breach of the service work conditions may lead to their termination and serving the remainder of the period in prison. The decision is not automatic: the ground, the procedure prescribed by law, and the right to present arguments before a decision on administrative termination must be examined.
Important point — what is important to know?
Service work is not a "perk." Many find it difficult to meet the framework's requirements; proper representation before sentencing is what determines whether the option will be given to serve imprisonment in this way instead of behind bars.
This information is for initial orientation about the service and contact process. It is not individual legal advice.
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