THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY WORK WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY THE WOTTON COMMITTEE AND A PILOT PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED IN 1975; SIMILAR PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN FOUNDED IN OREGON (USA) AS WELL AS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ONTARIO (CANADA). AFTER A PLANNING STAGE OF SEVERAL YEARS, THE FIRST PROGRAM WAS INTRODUCED IN QUEBEC IN APRIL 1977, TO PROVIDE THE COURTS WITH AN ALTERNATIVE TO IMPRISONMENT, PERMIT THE OFFENDER TO ATONE FOR HIS CRIME THROUGH CONSTRUCTIVE SOCIAL SERVICE, MAKE POSSIBLE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, AND ENRICH THE PROBATION OFFICER'S ROLE IN SOCIAL CHANGE. THE LEGAL BASIS FOR THIS NEW TYPE OF SENTENCING IS A PROVISION OF THE PROBATION LAW WHICH PERMITS JUDGES TO SUSPEND SENTENCES, TOGETHER WITH A PROVISION ENPOWERING JUDGES TO IMPOSE OTHER CONDITIONS WHICH THE COURT CONSIDERS NECESSARY TO ASSURE REHABILITATION. THE PROCEDURES ESSENTIAL FOR IMPOSITION OF SUCH A SENTENCE CAN BE FOUND IN A GUIDE FOR COURTS AND PROBATION OFFICERS. THE REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCES ORIGINATES WITH THE COURT WHICH REQUESTS THAT THE ADVISIBILITY OF SUCH ACTION BE INVESTIGATED BY A PROBATION OFFICER. IF THE CANDIDATE APPEARS STABLE IN ATTITUDES AND HABITS AND HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH DRUGS, ALCOHOLISM, OR PROFESSIONAL CRIME, A SUITABLE VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY RESOURCE IS FOUND TO GUIDE THE CANDIDATE, TO VERIFY HIS WORKING HOURS, AND REPORT TO THE PROBATION OFFICER, WHO BEARS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARRYING OUT THE SENTENCE. EVALUATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM AT THIS EARLY STAGE IS INCONCLUSIVE, BUT PRELIMINARY RESULTS INDICATE THAT RECIDIVISM HAS OCCURRED IN ONLY 1 OF 30 SENTENCES, THE SENTENCES ARE IMPOSED MAINLY FOR CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, AND THE PROGRAM HAS THE SUPPORT BOTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)