Offenders in Bahrain are to be put to work as an alternative to jail or fines. Judges can now impose community service orders on offenders sentenced to three months or less in jail, or instead of fines.

They will work for BD5 an hour - but will not get the money. It will go to pay off fines, or financial penalties calculated in lieu of jail time.

For example, the judge may rule that one month in jail would be equivalent to a BD1,000 fine, which the offender would have to work 200 hours to pay off.

Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa has already issued a ministerial decree, listing the places and services offenders could be assigned to.

The community service orders will be carried out in co-ordination with the Social Development, Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs and Labour ministries, he told the Shura Council yesterday (Monday).

Offenders will be expected to help teach skills such as carpentry to the handicapped or elderly, as well as doing menial tasks such as public maintenance, gardening and cleaning.-TradeArabia News Service