Correctional Services
Department for Correctional Services
The Department for Correctional Services aims to rebuild lives affected by crime and to be recognised as a leader in building a just and fair society where the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders is humane and the rights of the victim is respected.
If you would like to know more detail about this area of work, please contact the Department for Correctional Services www.corrections.sa.gov.au.
Children of Offenders and Prisoners
In August 2003, the Justice Cabinet Committee initiated an investigation into the needs of children affected by parental incarceration to determine ways in which service provision could be improved.
A report detailing the results of the investigation carried out by the Attorney-General’s Department and the Offenders Aid and Rehabilitation Services of SA Inc (OARS SA) (www.oars.org.au) is available to download from the publications section of this website.
Home Detention
Release on home detention is only granted if the people with whom the prisoner proposes to live agree with the proposal. People convicted of violent crimes cannot be released on home detention and must serve the full non-parole period in prison.
A prisoner in home detention is closely supervised by Department for Correctional Services officers who make frequent checks, either in person or by telephone, at any time of the day or night. Prisoners may also be subject to electronic monitoring using a special bracelet worn on the wrist.
If a prisoner complies with all the conditions and directions of home detention, the rest of the imprisonment term may be served in this way (Correctional Services Act 1982 s.37A).
Rehabilitation
The Department for Correctional Services aims to provide positive rehabilitation outcomes for prisoners and offenders and the community that are fair, cost effective and equitable. Therefore, in seeking to reduce the incidence of re-offending, a dynamic approach, which is fully informed and based on sound theoretical knowledge, is required.
The Department currently delivers programs which reflect the most frequently identified criminogenic needs in 6 key areas: Alcohol and Other Drugs, Anger Management, Cognitive Skills, Domestic Violence, Victim Awareness, Numeracy and Literacy.
For more information visit the Department for Correctional Services website www.corrections.sa.gov.au.
Access to Drug Treatment for Offenders
Court Assessment and Referral Drug Scheme (CARDS) is a pilot drug referral treatment program operating in selected Magistrates Courts, the Adelaide Youth Court and Family Conference Team in metropolitan Adelaide. CARDS provides people attending the courts or a family conference with the opportunity to access drug treatment.
Entry into the scheme is voluntary, but may subsequently be part of an undertaking, such as bail or bond conditions. Treatment provided is a brief intervention over a 3-month period. Ongoing treatment is available after this period. CARDS provides timely access to drug treatment, capitalising on contact with the justice system and the associated motivation to direct drug-dependent offenders into treatment.
The scheme aims to decrease drug use and decrease associated crime. CARDS supports the National State and Justice Portfolio drug strategies which seek to establish improved drug interventions through the criminal justice system.
For further information contact the Department of Justice:
Telehone:
(08) 8207 1555
Email: justice@justice.sa.gov.au
Parole
Prisoners are only released on parole if a non-parole period has been set by the sentencing judge. The prisoner is then eligible for parole at the end of the period. Prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for five or more years have to apply to the Parole Board for release on parole. Applications are examined by the Board. Only prisoners who accept the conditions of parole fixed by the Parole Board will be released on parole Correctional Services Act 1982.
Repeat Offender Strategy
The Justice Portfolio is currently working to prioritise repeat offenders' cases and reduce the amount of time they spend in the community before sentencing. The Justice Portfolio is also working on a scheme to allow police and courts to “name and shame” persistent troublemakers, which is planned, along with good behaviour agreements, to target problem youth and to be a circuit breaker for young people in trouble.
Drug Court Evaluation Report
The Drug Court has operated in South Australia since 2000. An evaluation report released in 2005 has found the program is achieving decreased levels and severity of offending by people completing the program.
The Drug Court program is an intensive 12-month treatment and supervision regime, targeted at serious and recidivist offenders. The program includes regular treatment, judicial supervision, urine testing, monitoring and support services.
The South Australian evaluation findings are consistent with other Australian evidence on the effectiveness of drug courts.
In November 2005, the 100th person completed the full 12-month Drug Court regime.
A copy of the evaluation report is available at the Office of Crime Statistics and Research's website www.ocsar.sa.gov.au.
