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APPENDIX A
The questions below were used in both the focus groups and the semi-structured
interviews to ensure consistencyof approach. Byutilising the same format, the analysis of
responses by the Judges was facilitated. This allowed clear patterns of responses to
emerge which confirmed the appropriateness of the methodologies which were chosen.
The Questions
1. Thinking back over the CSOs that you have imposed, what is it that you intended to
achieve when youmade such Orders? [uncuedopener].
2. What do youconsider is the purpose of the CSO when youuse it as a sentence?
2. [followup question]. Thinkingback, in what circumstances wouldyou consider a case suitable
for a Community Service Order? Conversely, in what circumstances would you consider
such a disposal as unsuitable?
3. In the overall range of sentences, where do you see a place for the CSO?
3. [followup question]. What relationship, if any, do yousee between the CSO andother sanctions?
3. [followup question]. What relationship, if any, do yousee between the CSO anda custodial sentence?
4. All things considered, what do you feel is the most important feature of the CSO?
5. When youput somebodyon a CSO, does the sanction achieve its purpose?
5. [followup question]. Howwouldyouknow?
6. Once you make a CSO do you allow the Probation Service to deal with the matter
or do youreviewthe performance of the CSO?
7.If a case is brought back to youfor a breach of a CSO, generallyhowwould youdeal with it?
7. [followup question]. Do you:-
(a) Breach andimpose the sentence in full?
(b) Give the offender another chance and supervise the remainder of the order
to be served?
(c) Ignore the breach altogether?
(d) Deal with the offender in some other manner?
8. What do you think of the CSO generally?
The Suspended Sentence
1. Thinking back over the suspended sentences that you have imposed, what is it
youintended to achieve when youmade such Orders? [uncued opener].
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