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Case 2 Public Service Employment Program The Program: Through public service employment (PSE), probationers make reparation to the community against which they have committed a crime. Probationers make restitution by giving their time and using their abilities to work toward a more productive life for themselves while serving the community. With an emphasis on reforming rather than punishing, the philosophy is one of "rehabilitation while making reparation." Typical Case: A young man was convicted of delivery of a controlled substance. He was ordered by the court to perform 500 hours of PSE. The order also stated that he was to actively seek employment and that if and when he obtained a job, the condition of PSE was to be vacated. The offender lived with his parents and had never held a job, even though he was more than 30 years old. At his first contact with the PSE staff, he was "sullen, belligerent, and nonreceptive." The prognosis for completing PSE and complying with the court order was not considered good. As he began his PSE, however, his attitude changed dramatically. He began working 32 hours per week on PSE and was allowed 1 day each week to look for employment. The jobsite reported that he showed up every day and that his work performance was acceptable. Typical Case: A second typical case was that of a young mother with no job, no money, no means of transportation, and no babysitter. The Community Service supervisor placed the woman with a day care program at a local YMCA. There, she cared for several children, including her own. Other offenders with children were allowed to keep their children at the day care center while they did their PSE work elsewhere.
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