Community service as a component of sentencing for juveniles and frequently for adults, as well, has long been a part of the punishment/rehabilitative system in many countries. We think that it is entirely reasonable to incorporate it into the Saudi sentencing policy, primarily for juveniles but in certain cases for adults, as well. Some crimes such as those that can be classified as juvenile delinquency cry out for the type of rehabilitative punishment that community service provides. When destruction of public property through graffiti or other youthful practices is the crime, jail time is far too harsh punishment and may well result in instilling as much anger as desire to behave properly in the offender. Far more necessary than corporal punishment is instilling a sense of community in the offender. One who destroys public property clearly has no sense that the public property he is destroying is not only his own but that of every other citizen who uses it. It is of paramount importance to a civil society that all members of the society regardless of their tribal affiliations or their economic status have an equal sense of belonging to the society and an equal sense of responsibility for its upkeep. To that end, community service can also be implemented as punishment for traffic infractions such as speeding and reckless driving. The overriding mentality of drivers in the Kingdom is “me first.” There is little if any consideration for the rights or well-being of other motorists or pedestrians navigating their way through traffic-clogged arteries. Convincing local drivers that they are all in it together and cooperation rather than competition is a preferable approach for everyone is a monumental task. But every little bit helps. In California, where community service is an ingrained part of the judicial system, there are countless organizations on file who are part of the community service program. The organizations range from charitable bodies to government offices. Community service ranges from working in libraries to working in non-profit theater groups to cleaning up roads and highways. The array of possibilities in Saudi Arabia is certainly more limited than in California but the outcome of community service is very likely to be the same – a heightened sense of community, something which is sorely lacking in the Kingdom. __
