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Criminals in the community

Criminals in the community

How Britain pioneered Community Service as an alternative to prison in the 1970s

Witness History · BBC World Service

August 7, 20199m 24s

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Show Notes

In the 1970s the UK tried to reduce its growing prison population. An experimental new punishment was introduced for convicted criminals. It was called Community Service. The scheme was soon copied around the world. Witness History speaks to John Harding, a former Chief Probation Officer, who was in charge of the introduction of Community Service in one of the first pilot schemes.

Photo: BBC