Here in the U.S. minor offenders, especially juveniles, are frequently sentenced to some number of hours doing "community service" instead of time in jail. "Community service" usually involves working for a city or county agency, under the supervision of law enforcement, cleaning up highway litter or doing other jobs that are necessary but more or less disagreeable.

Get ready to laugh. I've heard "conservatives" criticize community service on the ground that "kids shouldn't be taught that serving the community is some kind of punishment."

In other words, throw 'em in the pokey with worse criminals. That way [IRONY COMING] everybody benefits!