This paper explores how one community-based sanction and non-custodial alternative to prison – the community service order – can be better utilised in Ireland. It arises from a recently completed doctoral thesis1 that examined and compared the impact and outcomes for offenders on short term2 prison sentences versus those required to complete community service as an alternative to short-term imprisonment. On the basis of the findings, the paper provides recommendations on how the use of community service orders as a non-custodial sanction in Ireland can be enhanced.