​This study is primarily concerned with community service as an alternative to short-term deprivation of liberty penalties. This examination is justified by the fact that various penal legislations, such as English, Jordanian, and Qatari criminal laws, have adopted and recognized this ​​penalty. The main objective of this study is to shed light on community service as a penalty by defining it, explaining its characteristics and advantages, and clarifying its nature and scope. Additionally, the study aims to highlight its philosophical underpinnings and historical roots. This study will also address and analyze the legal provisions regulating this penalty in comparative legislation. It is worth noting that among the recent legislations that have adopted this penalty are the Jordanian and Qatari laws, while English law was the earliest to embrace this approach. In summary, community service represents a new development in the theory of punishment, its purposes, and goals. Modern penal legislations have swiftly adopted it due to its effectiveness in rehabilitating offenders and avoiding short-term deprivation of liberty. Community service is considered a significant alternative to incarceration, especially as it addresses the problem of overcrowding in correctional institutions. It serves as an effective means for rehabilitating the offender and correcting their behavior, while also alleviating the costly expenses of incarceration that burden the public treasury. Furthermore, it provides economic benefits that positively impact the state’s financial resources. Therefore, it can be said that this penalty is one of the most important alternatives to short-term deprivation of liberty.​