Community Corrections role

The court can sentence adult offenders to serve penalties in the community rather than send them to prison. Many of these offenders require to be managed, monitored and supervised.

The oversight of these offenders is the responsibility of the community correctional centres who supervise over 6000 people in the community on any given day.

Community Corrections also supervise offenders who are released on Parole or Home Detention to ensure that they follow the conditions of their release. When supervising offenders in the community we apply a risk based model to offender supervision whilst also promoting a rehabilitation approach. The evidence-based approach promotes a balance between compliance and rehabilitation.

The court determines bail and remand

The court will determine if an offender is to be released on bail until their next court date or remanded in custody until their next court date.

Although Community Corrections staff may supervise offenders subject to bail; court dates and conditions are set by the courts.

Decisions around whether someone is innocent or guilty or if they should be in prison is the responsibility of the courts. We are responsible for making sure the conditions the court set are followed and that any breaches are reported.

Who community corrections supervise

We are only responsible for adult offenders; those over the age of 18.

Young offenders are the responsibility of Youth Justice, the Department of Human Services.

Why we have prisoners and offenders in the community

Allowing offenders to undertake orders in the community minimises harm and economic loss associated with imprisonment through loss or employment and housing.

It allows offenders to retain community and family ties and family units to remain intact, it allows prisoners to continue with rehabilitative efforts and make restitution, it provides prisoners with access to counselling and education programs that they are already engaged with and it reduces the risk of reoffending by promoting rehabilitation and preventing exposure to the environment of a prison.

Not all crimes need a prison sentence it may be better to have an offender engaged in work and repaying a fine or debt.

Community safety

We are pro-active in our management of offenders. The court considers a range of factors when sentencing an offender and if a community based order is handed down, it is because the court considered the offender was eligible and suitable for this type of order.

Those that are approved are strictly monitored and supervised in accordance with the conditions set.

Community safety remains the paramount consideration.