I don't regard it as being any more valuable than a probation order, in the context of a suspended sentence. But since we have it there, and I understand from some judges that there are additional conditions that you can attach in a conditional order, there seems to be some benefit. I don't understand why we had to establish a whole new regime to do it, but there appears to be some marginal benefit. For that reason I'm not advocating getting rid of the entire program.
On September 19th, 2006. See this statement in context.