Community payback can help reform offenders

New Penal Code allowing service to society, instead of jail term, for minor offences can promote right conduct

The concept of restorative justice will come into full play from next month with the changes introduced to the UAE Penal Code, which mandates that minor offences will incur community service rather than jail term as a penalty. These offences, that would otherwise have led to imprisonment of not more than six months or a fine, will now have community payback of up to three months, which could involve activities such as cleaning streets, school premises or other voluntary work. This will be determined in a decision by the Minister of Justice, in agreement with Ministers of Interior and Emiritisation and Human Resources. It is only if the offender fails to discharge his community payback duty within the stipulated time, that the courts may order a jail term that is equivalent to the community service period.

This is a progressive development in the country’s criminal justice system and one that will lead to a positive outcome for society. Taking up voluntary service for the benefit of society has long been considered as a powerful catalyst by social behavioural experts, criminal psychologists and other field influencers for its ability to awaken an individual into seeing the importance of right conduct. Equally, the chance of a pardon that exists outside of doing a jail term has its own long-term benefits for societal well-being, including the potential pre-empting of a hardening criminal intent. Every and any mechanism that can strengthen these outcomes is a welcome addition to the penal laws.

The UAE, the first country in the region to introduce these changes, is making sure that minor offenders are offered every chance to retreat from the borders of crime and get back with society in time.