Over 1,000 convicts have been granted community service since April 2023

For the past couple of years, the government has been seeking ways of making the justice system more restorative than punitive, and as part of this, officials have put in place measures to increase the use of non-custodial penalties for convicts and detainees.

In 2023, the Criminal Justice Policy was launched by the justice ministry, to guide the establishment of laws that create space for things like electronic ankle monitors as an alternative to detention, as well as mechanisms like community service or fines for certain offenses.

For community service in particular, the Presidential Order issued in April 2023 outlined how the penalty would be implemented by Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) in collaboration with district authorities. The penalty applies to petty crimes.

Mr. Anastase Nabahire, the Director General for Justice Sector Coordination at the Ministry of Justice, said the number of convicts sentenced to community service shows that the justice system understands the new policy aimed at supporting the rehabilitation of offenders without incarceration.

He emphasized the need for more awareness and training on the policies and laws related to it, showing that many people still do not Rwanda’s transition from a repressive to a restorative justice system.

In addition to community service, the justice system plans to introduce electronic bracelets as a non-custodial detention measure, complementing existing methods like conditional release (parole).

Community services Implementation

During community service implementation, district authorities make a list of public works to be undertaken and submit it to RCS. This list is subject to periodic review.

Organizations seeking to employ individuals undergoing community service submit written applications to the RCS, and upon approval, a contract is signed by the RCS Chief Commissioner or representative. The money that comes from the community service penalties is deposited in the State Treasury.

RCS makes a list of individuals sentenced to community service, and the district authority notifies them of the reporting date to RCS for work assignments. Failure to report within 30 days prompts police tracking and reporting back to RCS.

The placement of individuals considers public interest, alignment with government programs, and the intellectual and physical capacity of the person and the employing organization. The person sentenced to community service works five days a week in a camp or three days if living at home, with daily work lasting five hours.

The placement of individuals considers public interest, compatibility with government programs, and the intellectual and physical capabilities of the individual and the employing organization. A person is sentenced to work five days a week in the camp or three days if living at home, the daily work lasting five hours.