A COURT system order has been overhauled and improved 30 years after it was introduced.
The new Enhanced Community Punishment Scheme aims to help the community and the offender as much as possible.
Community punishment orders and rehabilitation orders demand that criminals carry out unpaid, supervised work of up to 240 hours over three years to repay society for their crimes.
There will no change in the law, but both punishments now come under the ECP system.
Margaret Ambler, team manager for the for the Kirklees Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order Unit, said: "Old community service was very much about a punishment.
"The new system looks at an offender as an individual. It is more tailor-made for the individual and is also about giving people skills leading them into work."
It is also hoped that it will make offenders face up better to the consequences of their actions.
"Community punishment has always been very high on magistrates' agendas.
"People also see something put back into the community," said Mrs Ambler.
Offenders given the orders work on schemes such as lunch clubs for the elderly or help with initiatives to reduce burglary.
Such work makes them think about the impact of their criminal behaviour.
Paul Thurston, assistant chief officer with responsibility for implementing ECPs in West Yorkshire, said: "This punishment with a purpose will give offenders new skills that change anti-social behaviour and require them to make meaningful amends."
