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DEVELOPMENTS IN CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES
1983
COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMMES
DEVELOPMENTS IN CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES, 1983
Community Based Programmes
Community Service Orders
Parole of Prisoners Act
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Pamphlets l
Job Training for Unemployed Periodic Detainees 2
Probation and Parole Service 2
Alternatives to Imprisonment for Fine Defaulters 2
Bail Assessment and Supervision Programme 3
Administration
Industrial Relations 5
Growth of In-Service Courses for Staff 5
Capital Works Programme 5
Corporate Plan and Aims for the Prison System 5
Research Projects 6
Computerisation 6
Custodial Services
Mulawa Women's Prison
Mothers and Babies
Parklea Prison
New Women's Prison
Malabar Psychiatric Unit
Redeveloped Bathurst Gaol Re-Opened
Mixed Staffing in Prisons
Rationalisation of Prisons
Plans for Parramatta Gaol
Detection of Drugs and Special Searches
Prison Industries
Ethnic and Aboriginal Prisoners
Release on License
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l.
Community Service Orders:
Community Service Orders were introduced three years
ago to permit courts the option of sentencing offenders
to perform a set number of hours of community work as
an alternative to imprisonment. The
rapidly into 35 areas of the State.
scheme has expanded
Since 1980, the
courts have issued a total of 2,440 Community Service
Orders. Offenders have been engaged in a wide varie·ty
of work to make reparation to the community. In the
next four months, it is planned to extend the scheme
to 15 additional areas.
Parole of Prisoners Act:
A major review of this Act is now finalised and the
necessary legislation will be presented to Parliament
in the coming Budget Session.
Pamphlets:
A series of information pamphlets on each of the
State's prisons is being produced. The pamphlets,
which are aimed mainly at the families and friends
of prisoners, will provide details of such important
matters as visiting hours and conditions, telephone
calls, mail, and counselling and guidance services.
They provide an insight into conditions in each
of the institutions by outlining work available
to inmates, medical facilities, and other day to
day matters as contained in the attached pamphlet
concerning Mulawa Training and Detention Centre.
2.
Job Training for Unemployed Periodic Detainees:
A major change to the Periodic Detention Scheme
has been made with the introduction of a mid-week
programme which began on 4th May 1983 at the Silverwater
Periodic Detention Centre, to teach unemployed detainees
skills to help them find work. In a series of class
room sessions, detainees are instructed in finding
employment, managing money, improving relationships,
improving communication, drug and alcohol abuse,
attaining work skills and seeking help when problems
arise.
Probation and Parole Service:
In order to cope with a major shift in resources,
the Probation and Parole Service has been allocated
an additional 45 staff from positions retrieved
elsewhere in the organisation. This has been prompted
by the rapid growth in the Community Service Order
Scheme, the introduction of the Release on License
Programme, the Bail Assessment and Supervision Programme,
and the extension of the Drug and Alcohol Court
Assessment Programme.
Alternatives to Imprisonment for Fine Defaulters:
Fine defaulters previously sent to prison to work
out their fines may now be detained at the Salvation
Army's ''Miroma" Mancare Centre at St. Peters. The
scheme, a joint project of the Salvation Army and
the Department of Corrective Services, was established
early this year and has been expanded to accommodate
500 fine defaulters per annum. Negotiations are
under way to extend the scheme to the western areas
of Sydney (St. Marys), and at least one other major
centre (Newcastle) in the near future.
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Bail Assessment and Supervision Programme:
Advice for prisoners intending to apply for bail
at Waverley Court of Petty Sessions or the Supreme
Court is now available through a scheme, known as
the Bail Assessment and Supervision Programme, which
is operated by the Probation and Parole Service
at the Metropolitan Remand Centre, Long Bay. The
scheme began operation in January 1983. Two-thirds
of bail applicants interviewed in the scheme have
been granted bail by the courts. After evaluation,
the programme may be extended to other gaols.
4.
ADMINISTRATION
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Industrial Relations:
Improved industrial relations has been a feature of
the Department's operations in the past 12 months.
Close consultation between the Corrective Services
Commission and union executives has resulted in
agreement on a number of sensitive issues, including
mixed staffing of prisons, transfer of staff and
sick leave.
Growth of In-Service Courses for Staff:
The scope of in-service and special training courses
has been broadened in the Department. These now
range from primary training courses for prison officers
to seminars for prison superintendents.
Capital Works Programme:
A capital works programme which has been completed
identifies the long-term use of prisons. Apart from
the new Parklea maximum security gaol opening later
this year, there is large scale redevelopment planned
for Goulburn Training Centre, Grafton Gaol, the Long
Bay Complex of Prisons, and Parramatta Gaol. A new
women's prison is being planned and a high priority
is given to the construction of a medical and
psychiatric hospital at Long Bay.
Corporate Plan and Aims for the Prison System:
A Corporate Plan has been developed to provide a
co-ordinated view of the broad direction that the
Department is likely to take as well as to set a
range of specific goals to activate this process.
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The organisation's goals have been divided into:
diversion programmes (alternatives to imprisonment);
custodial; post-custodial supervision; and support.
The Corporate Plan was developed after extensive
consultation with the Heads of the Department's
Branches. The proposals have been made available
to all employees of the Department for their consideration.
Research Projects:
Work has continued on a number of major research projects,
including those on prison officers' health, the initial
training of prison officers and its impact on their
relationships with prisoners, and an evaluation of pilot
pre-release programmes. In addition, the Department has
taken part in the first national census of prisoners.
Computerisation:
Significant computerised systems have been introduced
or are at an advanced state of development. These
include: case load management statistics for the
Probation and Parole Service; word processing facilities
at Head Office; prisoner accounting and canteen
purchases at Long Bay; calculation of prisoner remissions
and dates of release; and monitoring of building projec·ts.
The Department plans to introduce an on-line computerised
offender records system. This will involve computer
terminals being installed at each gaol and probation
and parole offices. It is expected that tenders for
the supply and installation of this system will be
sought by the end of 1983 with the first phase becoming
operational at Long Bay by mid-1984.
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CUSTODIAL SERVICES
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Mulawa Women's Prison:
A major re-organisation of the administration of Mulawa
Training and Detention Centre has been undertaken.
Mixed staffing has been introduced, and extensive
re-organisation and renovation of administrative
offices and a number of facilities for inmates are
in progress. A thorough overhaul of the prison's
records, procedures, and routine has also been carried
out. A segregated area has been set aside for low
risk prisoners while they wait for transfer to the
minimum security Norma Parker Centre at Parramatta.
Mothers and Babies:
Modifications have been made to two brick cottages
outside the perimeter fence of Mulawa prison to
accommodate mothers and babies. The mothers and
babies were previously housed inside Mulawa in a
building considered unsuitable for this purpose.
The two cottages are almost ready to be occupied.
Parklea Prison:
The new maximum security prison at Parklea, on the
outskirts of Sydney, is expected to be ready for
occupation later this year. The final estimated
cost of the prison, which will house 220 prisoners,
is $38 million. Completion of the project will
help relieve overcrowding in the State's maximum
security gaols.
New Women's Prison:
In accord with a decision of the Government to build
a new women's prison, the Department is currently
negotiating for the purchase of a suitable site
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for the new gaol. Preliminary discussions on the
needs of the Department for a new women's prison
has taken place and a full range of services is
planned, i.e., maximum security through to minimum
security, with provision of special facilities for
mothers and babies.
Malabar Psychiatric Unit:
The Observation Section at Long Bay, which was used
for many years to accommodate mentally distrubed
prisoners, has been closed and the buildings demolished.
A refurbished section of the Metropolitan Reception
Prison at Long Bay, staffed jointly by medical personnel
from the Department of Health and prison officers,
has been opened to provide up-to-date psychiatric
care for these prisoners while construction of a
replacement Observation Section, expected to cost
$500,000, is in progress.
Redeveloped Bathurst Gaol Re-opened;
At a total cost of $12.1 million, the maximum security
section of Bathurst Gaol, which was nearly totally
destroyed during prisoner riots in 1974, has been
re-opened to accommodate 209 prisoners. More than 100
inmates already occupy the maximum security section.
The medium security section, known as X-Wing, is presently
undergoing major renovation at an estimated cost of
$600,000.
The redevelopment of Bathurst Gaol and the construction
of Parklea Prison will virtually eliminate overcrowding
in the State's maximum security prisons. The most
significant aspect of the redeveloped prison in
the provision of separate units accommodating an average
of 16 prisoners. This will facilitate more intensive work
with prisoners consistent with the work at the Special
Care Unit (Metropolitan Reception Prison, Long Bay) and
the Programmes Unit at the Metropolitan Remand Centre
(Long Bay).
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Mixed Staffing in Prisons:
Mixing of male and female officers has been introduced
at two prisons. Sixteen male officers, including
the Deputy Superintendent, began duty last March
at Mulawa Women's Prison, while eight female officers
are employed in
Bathurst Gaol.
the maximum security section of
Following discussions between the
unions and the Corrective Services Commission, mixed
staffing was introduced on the present scale. It
is intended that mixed staffing will be introduced
where appropriate on a progressive basis in other
gaols.
Rationalisation of Prisons:
An extensive survey has been conducted into staffing
and the rationalisation of the security rating of
prisons throughout the State. As part of the Prisons
Management Plan, three institutions - Narrabri Gaol,
Kirkconnell Afforestation Camp, and Newnes Afforestation
Camp - were closed. Inmates and staff were transferred
to other prisons. A total of 105 prison officer
positions, which were filled on a full-time overtime
basis, were abolished or substituted for positions
deleted elsewhere in the Service. A review of overtime
has resulted in a reduction from 36,000 hours per
fortnight in 1981/82 to a present fortnightly level
of 23,000 (a reduction of 36%). Re-organisation
of resources has also meant that 70% of staff required
to man the new maximum security Parklea Prison will
come from officers already employed in the Service.
The changes in prisons have resulted in an increase
in accommodation for medium security prisoners.
Plans for Parramatta Gaol:
When Parklea Prison is opened it is planned to progressively
redevelop and renovate Parramatta Gaol, the oldest
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existing prison in New South Wales. It is planned
to use the renovated gaol as a remand and reception
prison for the western areas of Sydney. During
the renovations, part of the gaol will be sealed
off and evacuated, while the remainder will continue
to house remand prisoners.
Detection of Drugs and Special Searches:
Extensive and constant searches of prisons are carried
out by officers to detect drugs and other illicit
items. With the aid of trained officers and dogs,
staff search cells, visiting areas, prisoners' work
places and all other areas of prisons. This type
of searching recently uncovered what officers believe
was a carefully planned attempt by a number of prisoners
to escape from Parramatta Gaol by taking hostages. During
searching, a makeshift gun and a quantity of ammunition
were found.
Prison Industries:
Additional work is being provided for prisoners
in a number of large-scale industrial projects.
Five workshops are being built at Parklea Prison.
They will be the most modern and well-equipped
prison workshops in Australia. At Bathurst Gaol,
five industrial workshops will shortly be opened
and a further workshop is under construction.
With all prison industries proper consideration is
given to ensure these activities do not erode
opportunities in the outside work force. It is
also proposed to modify the inmate bonus payment system.
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to provide a more positive work incentive for prisoners.
Emphasis is to be placed on the establishment of
a bakery in the metropolitan area and orchards and
vegetable production at other gaols.
A Board of Directors of Prison Industries has been
established under the chairmanship of the Chairman
of the Corrective Services Commission. The Board,
comprised of the senior officers of the Department
of Corrective Services, and representatives of other
Government and non-Government organisations, reviews
the performance of prison industries and advises
the Department of policy with regard to these industries.
Ethnic and Aboriginal Prisoners:
A number of initiatives have taken place to improve
the care of ethnic and Aboriginal prisoners. These
initiatives include research into the cultural and
language background of Asian inmates in order to
improve interpreter services; an initial inquiry
into the migrant status of prisoners and enforcement
of deportation orders; intensified liaison with
consulates to ensure adequate protection of non
Australian prisoners; and liaison with Aboriginal
communities for post-release care of Aboriginal
prisoners.
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RELEASE ON LICENSE
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Since February 1982, a programme involving the release
on license under the provisions of Section 463 of the
Crimes Act, No. 40, 1900, has been in operation, and
has developed to a stage where all prisoners are systematically
reviewed to determine if they should be released from
prison.
The release on license is a very constructive and positive
programme which requires correctional officers, whether
they are custodial, professional, or in the Probation
and Parole area, to more carefully assess prisoners and
sift out those who may even be damaged by further detention.
It also requires correctional officers to determine the
optimum time for release and the scheme offers substantial
hope for prisoners.
The release of prisoners is not undertaken lightly.
Their performance in prison, their prospects of survival
in the community, and the nature of their offence, are
all taken into consideration. The highest concentration
has been on those prisoners who are in prison for the
first time.
The Indeterminate Sentence Committee has also been reviewing
all life sentence and Governor's Pleasure prisoners who
have spent long periods in gaol and are capable of resuming
productive, useful lives in the community.
Individual assessments are all reviewed by the Chairman
of the Corrective Services Commission before being submitted
to me, and then, if appropriate, to the Governor. They
are all subject to close supervision in the community
by the Probation and Parole Service, and must report
and ac~ept regular supervision until their sentence expires.
If they breach the conditions of their license, their
license is automatically revoked, resulting in their
return to prison for the remainder of their sentence,
without recourse to any appeal system.
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So far, a total of 1,071 (including 107 life sentence
and Governor's Pleasure prisoners) have been released
under this scheme. The success rate has been 94%. The
numbers released are only 30% of those who have applied
or been considered for release under the scheme.
The release on license scheme, to an extent, has maintained
evidence of good faith on behalf of this Government.
The Probation and Parole legislation in this State has
been under review since 1979, and prisoners have been
constantly aware that substantial changes allowing remission
on the non-parole period are likely to occur. I believe
that the release on license programme is extremely worth
while and is one of the most progressive developments
in correctional services in this country. Whilst it
will be substantially overtaken by the proposed legislation,
if accepted, there will still need to be provision for
release on license in exceptional cases.
The foregoing brief outline of developments in correctional
programmes in the last twelve months indicates the continuing
emphasis on reform and identifies the need to persist
with the development of community-based services and
programmes.
These achievements have been recognised by other States,
and at a recent conference in Hobart, considerable interest
was shown to developments in New South Wales, and a number
of Ministers of correctional services in other States
indicated a determination to emulate some of the progressive
programmes initiated in New South Wales.
R. F. JACKSON, M.P.,
Minister for Corrective Services.