The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) has launched the implementation of the new community service penalty, which allows convicts to serve their sentences while continuing to live at home.
Under this system, individuals sentenced by the courts work three days a week and return to their homes each day until their sentence is completed.
The official launch of this programme took place in Nyagatare District on Saturday, 6 December 2025.
The government introduced the community service penalty as part of efforts to address challenges faced by offenders, victims and the country as a whole. Allowing convicts to work and return home helps them serve their sentence while still supporting their families and reintegrating more easily into the community where the offence occurred.
The commissioner general of RCS, CG Evariste Murenzi, reminded participants that they have been given a rare opportunity to serve their sentence while remaining with their families, noting that they work only a few days a week and can use the remaining time to improve their lives.
He urged them to avoid reoffending and to make the most of the opportunity they have been given.
“It is a chance you have been offered, and you must use it wisely by avoiding any return to crime,” he said.
RCS compiles a list of all individuals sentenced to community service and submits it to the respective district, which then assigns specific tasks to be carried out.
Government institutions, public agencies, civil society organisations and private sector entities can request RCS to allocate community service workers.
Those serving the sentence in camps work five days a week, whereas those allowed to live at home work three days a week.
Convicts serving this sentence must also attend community assemblies, civic education sessions organised by RCS, and other activities required by their district of residence.
To date, 4,836 people nationwide have been sentenced to community service. Of these, 1,571 have already been located in various districts, including 843 who have begun their assigned work, while others are still being traced, according to RCS.
