The Community Service Act

CHAPTER 291 THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION] Arrangement of Sections Section Title 1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. part i PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS part ii COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS 3. Community service orders. 4. Obligations of offender subject to community service order. 5. Breach of community service orders. 6. Review and variation of community service orders. part iii MANAGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS 7. Establishment of National Community Service Orders Committee. 8. Duties of National Committee. 9. Executive Committee. 10. National Co-ordinator. 11. Regional, District, Ward and Village Community Service Orders Committee. 12. Community service officers. 13. Supervising officers. 14. Regulations. 15. Liability of members of Community Service Orders Committees and other officers. 16. Offences. SCHEDULES 57 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. CHAPTER 291 THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT An Act to make provisions for the introduction and regulation of community service on offenders in certain cases, and for connected and incidental matters. [30th January, 2004] [GN. No. 36 of 2004] Act No. 6 of 2002 PART I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Community Service Act. Interpretation 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires- “community service” means a program managed by Community Service Committees under the provisions of this Act; “community service order” means an order made under section 3; “community service officer” means a community service officer within the meaning of section 12 of this Act; “court” means unless provided otherwise, the court which made a community service order and includes a court within whose jurisdiction an offender may be residing while serving under a community service order; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for prisons; “National Committee” means the National Community Service Orders Committee established under section 7; “National Co-ordinator” means the National Community Service Order Co-ordinator appointed under section 10; 58 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] “offender” means a person convicted and sentenced by a court for an offence under any written law; and “supervising officer” means an officer appointed under section 13 to supervise an offender performing community service under this Act. PART II COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS Community service orders 3.–(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence punishable by- (a) imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, with or without the option of a fine; or (b) imprisonment for a term exceeding three years but for which the court determines a term of imprisonment for three years or less, with or without the option of a fine, to be appropriate, the court may, subject to this Act, make a community service order requiring the offender to perform community service. (2) For the purposes of this section- (a) “community service” shall comprise of unpaid public work within a community, for the benefit of that community, for a period to be fixed by the court but not exceeding the term of imprisonment for which the court would have sentenced the offender; and (b) “public work” shall include but not be limited to- (i) construction or maintenance of public roads or roads of access; (ii) afforestation works; (iii) environmental conservation and enhancement works; (iv) projects for water conservation, management or distribution and supply; (v) maintenance work in public schools, hospitals and other public social service amenities; (vi) work of any nature of a foster home or orphanage; 59 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] (vii) general cleaning and related activities; (viii) rendering specialist or professional services in the community and for the benefit of the community; and (ix) other manual works as may be approved. (3) The nature or type of public work referred to in subsection (2) shall, in any particular case, be determined by the court after consultation with the Community Service Orders Committee. (4) Where a court determines that a community service order shall be made, it may, before making the order, direct a community service officer to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances of the case and of the offender and report the findings to the court. (5) An inquiry under subsection (4) shall be conducted in such manner and the report shall be in such form and cover such matters as may be prescribed. (6) A court shall not make an order under this section in respect of an offender unless the offender is present and the court is satisfied that- (a) the offender consents to the order being made; (b) adequate arrangements exist for the execution of the order; and (c) after considering the report made under subsection (4) and, where necessary, after hearing the community service officer, that the offender is a suitable person to perform community service under the order. (7) Where a court makes an order under this section in respect of two or more offences committed by the same offender, the court may direct that the period of community service specified in any of those orders shall be concurrent with or in addition to that specified in any other order. (8) The court which makes a community service order shall forthwith give copies of the order to the community service officer of the area where the offender resides or shall reside 60 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] during the period of the order and the community service officer shall give a copy of the order each to the offender and to the supervising officer. (9) Before making an order under this section, the court sentencing an offender shall explain to the offender in a language that he understands- (a) the purpose and effect of the order and in particular, his obligations under section 4; (b) the consequences specified in section 5 for failure to comply with the order or with any of the requirements of that section; and (c) the powers of the court under section 6 to review the order on application either by the offender or of a community service officer. (10) Where the court considers it necessary for effective execution of the community service order, it may direct the offender to enter into bond with or without sureties. Obligations of offender subject to community service order 4.–(1) A person who is subject to a community service order shall- (a) report to the supervising officer specified in the order for assignment of work; (b) perform, for the period specified in the order, such work, at such times and at such place as he may be instructed by the supervising officer; and (c) report to the supervising officer any change of address which may occur. (2) A supervising officer shall, as far as practicable, avoid giving instructions under this section which conflict with the offender’s religious beliefs. Breach of community service orders 5. Where an offender commits a breach of or fails to comply with any of the conditions or requirements of a community service order, the court may, on the application of the area community service officer or supervising officer, issue summons to the offender to appear before the court at the time 61 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] Review and variation of community service orders specified in the summons or issue a warrant of arrest for the offender to be arrested and brought before the court, as the case may be, and the court may, after hearing the offender, do any of the following- (a) caution the offender and require the offender to comply with the order; (b) amend the order in such manner as may suit the circumstances of the case; or (c) revoke the order and impose any other sentence under the law as the court deems appropriate. 6.–(1) Subject to subsection (4), an offender may seek a review of a community service order in any material point by informing the community service officer or supervising officer in writing of the particulars upon which such review is sought. (2) Where the review of an order is sought under subsection (1), the community service officer or supervising officer shall apply to the court in the prescribed form, setting out the particulars specified under that section and the court may suitably review or vary the community service order. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), in special circumstances, the offender may make the application to the court without prior reference to the community service officer or the supervising officer, and the community service officer or the supervising officer may apply for review for any justifiable reason. (4) Where the review or variation of an order under subsection (1) results in change of residence of the offender, the court varying the order shall inform the court having jurisdiction for the area where the offender intends to reside, and shall cause copies of the community service order to be presented to court within whose jurisdiction the offender will reside and to the community service officer of the area. (5) A review of an order under this section shall not be necessary where an offender changes residence without affecting a subsisting order or without leaving the jurisdiction of the court which made the order. 62 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] Establishment of National Community Service Orders Committee PART III MANAGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS 7.–(1) There is hereby established the National Community Service Orders Committee in this Act referred to as “the National Committee” for Mainland Tanzania. (2) The National Committee shall consist of- (a) a Chairman who shall be a Judge of the High Court or any other person qualified in law and with sufficient knowledge in matters relating to criminal justice administration, appointed by the Minister; (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions or his nominee; (c) an appointee of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for matters relating to regional administration; (d) an appointee of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for matters relating to labour; (e) the Inspector General of Police or his nominee; (f) the Principal Commissioner of Prisons or his nominee; (g) the Commissioner of Social Welfare; (h) the Commissioner of Labour; (i) a nominee of the Tanganyika Law Society; (j) two persons with training and experience in the administration of criminal justice system, one of whom shall have experience in the practice of criminology and penology; and (k) the National Community Service Order Co-ordinator. (3) The National Committee may, at any time co-opt not more than three persons whose assistance or advice it requires or considers necessary in the discharge of its functions, to serve the Committee for such period as it thinks fit. (4) The National Committee shall elect, from amongst its members, a Vice-Chairman who shall serve for one year but shall be eligible for re-election. 63 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] (5) The tenure of office for the National Committee shall be for three years, save that, its members shall be eligible for re-election to serve another term, provided that, a member shall not be eligible to serve for more than two consecutive terms. (6) The conduct and regulation of the business and affairs of the National Committee shall be as provided in this Act, but subject thereto, the Committee shall regulate its own procedure. Duties of National Committee 8.–(1) The functions of the National Committee shall be to- (a) advise the Minister generally on the proper Cap. 20 Executive Committee implementation of the provisions of this Act; (b) co-ordinate, direct and supervise community service officers; and the work of (c) collect and collate data on the operation of this Act for the purposes of improving the national policy on community service orders. (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), the National Committee may, through the Chairman, advise on any need for enhanced application of the provisions relating to revision under the Criminal Procedure Act, so that the courts may make better use of community service orders in the appropriate cases. 9.–(1) There shall be an Executive Committee of the National Committee which shall consist of- (a) the Chairman of the National Committee who shall be the chairman; (b) the Vice-Chairman of the National Committee; (c) the Principal Commissioner of Prisons; (d) the Commissioner of Social Welfare; (e) the National Co-ordinator appointed under section 10, who shall be the secretary; and (f) one other member appointed by the National Committee. 64 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] National Co-ordinator (2) Subject to any directions which may be made by the National Committee, the functions of the Executive Committee shall be as specified in the First Schedule. 10.–(1) There shall be a National Community Service Co-ordinator in this Act referred to as “the National Co-ordinator” who shall be appointed by the Minister for a period of three years, but shall be eligible for re-appointment. (2) For avoidance of doubts, only persons with proven knowledge and experience in the administration of criminal justice and correctional matters shall be eligible for appointment as a National Co-ordinator. (3) The National Co-ordinator shall also be the Chief Community Service Officer and the Secretary to the National Committee and subject to specific directions which may be issued by the National Committee or the Executive Committee, shall be responsible for the maintenance of a register of community service orders. (4) The National Committee may delegate to the National Co-ordinator such of its functions under this Act as are necessary to enable him transact or perform the day to day business of the National Committee. (5) Where the National Co-ordinator is absent or incapacitated by any reason, the Minister shall appoint a person to act in his place during such absence or incapacity, but the said appointee shall not be eligible to act for a period exceeding six months, provided that, this subsection shall not preclude the Minister from appointing a new National Co-ordinator to fill the vacancy. Regional, District, Ward and Village Community Service Orders Committee in consultation with National 11. The Minister shall, Committee, by order published in the Gazette, establish Community Service Order Committees at Regional, District, Ward and Village levels comprising of such members and to perform such functions as may be prescribed in the order. 65 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] Community service officers Cap. 247 Supervising officers Regulations 12.–(1) The probation officers appointed under the Probation of Offenders Act shall be community service officers for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Minister may, in consultation with the National Committee, appoint such additional community service officers as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act. (3) A community service officer shall perform the duties specified in the Second Schedule. (4) A community service officer other than a public officer shall receive such remuneration for services rendered under this Act as the Minister shall, after consultation with the National Committee and the Minister responsible for public service, determine. 13. For the purposes of supervising offenders under this Act, the court shall, in consultation with the relevant Community Service Orders Committee, appoint supervising officers and the supervising officer may be appointed for several offenders. 14.–(1) The Minister may in consultation with the National Committee, make regulations generally for the better carrying out of the purposes of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister may make regulation particularly to provide for the following: (a) the procedure for releasing offenders on community service and stipulate for sanctions where there is breach of the procedures; (b) the procedure for monitoring and supervising offenders on community service; (c) the constitutional and duties of community service offenders on community service; (d) any question or matter relevant to the appointment of any person for purposes of supervising offenders under this Act; and (e) any other matter or thing related to and in furtherance of the provisions and objects of this Act. 66 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] Liability of members of Community Service Orders Committees and other officers 15. Save as may be prescribed by any other law, an act or thing done or omitted to be done by any member of the Community Service Orders Committees or any other person empowered to perform any function under this Act, shall not render such member or other person personally liable for such act or omission. Offences 16. A person who wilfully interferes with the administration of the community service system or who contravenes the provisions of this Act, commits an offence and, on conviction, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both. FIRST SCHEDULE (Made under section 9(2)) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Functions 1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for- (a) the supervision of the day to day running of the affairs of the Committee; (b) the collection, storage and dissemination of data relating to the implementation of community service orders; (c) transmitting to and advising the community service orders committees on the policies formulated by the National Committee; (d) undertaking educational activities aimed at sensitising members of the public and criminal justice agencies on the role and purpose of community service orders; (e) co-ordinating with other agencies on matters relating to and beneficial to community service; and (f) any other duties that may be as assigned to it by the National Committee. Meetings Quorum 2.–(1) The Committee shall have power to regulate and determine its own procedure and the quorum at its meetings; (2) The Committee shall meet at least four times a year. 3. Subject to any requirement as to quorum, the Committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members; 67 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT [CAP. 291 R.E. 2023] Co-option 4. The Committee may in its discretion invite any person who is not a member to attend any of its meetings, but such person shall not take part in decision making. Duties of Community Service officers SECOND SCHEDULE (Made under section 12(3)) DUTIES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS 1. Community Service Officers shall perform the following duties- (a) identify suitable work placements; (b) oversee the work and progress of offenders; (c) ensure that community service orders are compiled with and that the scheme works smoothly; (d) apply to the court for review of order; (e) facilitate or promote reconciliation of offenders and the community; (f) ensure that safety conditions are satisfactory for both the community and the offenders serving under community service orders; (g) guard against discriminatory practices in dealing with offenders; (h) maintain confidentiality of information on or relating to offenders; (i) undertake counselling of offenders for rehabilitation and liaise with any other person or organisations of persons dealing with similar problems; (j) keep an up-to-date record of offender’s performance and appraisal of the same; (k) submit periodic reports to appropriate or relevant Community Service Orders Committees and the Co-ordinator in respect of offenders; (l) provide pre-sentence report to the court; and (m) co-ordinate the activities of the community service orders. 68 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.