The problem is that community service is simply justice on the cheap. They may not have enough officers to simply manage the criminals sufficiently. That would cost money and it was supposed to be cheaper.

IMO almost all punishment should be severe enough to act as a deterrent. Community service should be strictly enforced. No cups of tea. It ain't work so employment laws IMO don't count. Hence no tea breaks, excessive rest etc. The only difference from prison IMo should be that the community benefits more than with the criminal locked up.

EG vandalism - clean up graffiti, litter picking etc. Doing it properly and doing a good job means you've completed the sentence. A piss-poor effort and you do it all over again. And again. And again, until it's done right.

+1

I agree about them doing it again till until it is done properly. Though if the punishment is cruel or harsh then the whole community punishment scheme will be in jeopardy from the Human Rights Act.