The Community Service Program provides cost effective alternatives to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System, thereby favorably impacting the jail population, while avoiding higher cost incarceration. The program provides investigations for the court, community supervision of offenders and reports client compliance to the appropriate agency. The program coordinates with approximately 186 non-profit and government agencies that serve as work sites. Individuals who are required to do community service work are assigned to a work site according to the client's skills, location, and criminal history.
The Community Service Program also coordinates supervision for "Direct Sentenced" and New Normal Work Crew clients. Clients are sentenced to perform community service in lieu of jail time. Work is available seven (7) days a week. Work Crews are transported to a worksite by Community Service staff and may be supervised by Community Service staff at a governmental or non-profit agency. Workers are required to provide their own lunch.
Population Served
Community Service clients are referred from a variety of sources. Clients are referred from State and County Probation, the State Attorney's Office, Civil and Criminal Courts. Clients may enter into a Deferred Prosecution contractual agreement with the State Attorney which requires offenders to perform community service hours. Additionally, clients may be required to complete community service hours as a condition of Level 1 supervised probation or in lieu of fines, court costs, or cost of supervision for criminal offenses or civil traffic offenses. Clients are assessed a $10.00 fee for service for each community service program orientation.
Eligibility
Any adult offender sentenced by the court, individuals required to complete community service work pursuant to a Deferred Prosecution agreement, individuals referred by State and County Probation, juveniles sentenced in adult court or for truancy, civil traffic offenders who have received permission to complete community service in lieu of fines, and individuals with Drug Court or Day Reporting sanctions.
Admission to the Program
All individuals mentioned above must go through an orientation process. Individuals are admitted into the program once the orientation is completed.
For More Information
Salatheia Jenkins Brown,
Community Service Supervisor
14 NE 1st Street,
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 338-7390
Fax: (352) 338-3299
Email: SJ@alachuacounty.us