In Africa, hundreds of thousands of people are packed into prisons that are overcrowded, dilapidated, unsanitary, inhumane and ineffective for prisoners' rehabilitation and crime prevention.

With the pressure of - often punitive - public opinion and in the absence of alternatives to imprisonment, a large majority of petty offenders, who are not dangerous to society, find themselves behind bars.

This film presents the progressive introduction of Community Serive in Africa through the examples of Zimbabwe, Kenya and Burkina Faso, and highlights the benefits for the offenders and their families, governments, and the community at large.

The film was directed by Samson Giorgis and Cécile Marcel for PRI in 2003

The Adobe Flash Player must be installed on your browser to view this film. A broadband connection is reccomended for best quality viewing.