Home Detention

In reply to the Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (1 November 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): I am advised:

At the time the legislative changes came into operation the Department for Correctional Services had 116 existing offenders on release ordered home detention.

Initial modelling suggested growth in the order of an additional 129 offenders on home detention by the end of 2017-18.

As at 5 December 2016, the department has seen growth of an additional 98 offenders on home detention, made up of both release ordered home detention and court ordered home detention.

Projections are complex, the department saw an initial spike at the commencement of the legislative change due to existing prisoners who became suitable for release ordered home detention in accordance with changes to the Correctional Services Act 1982, and for offenders whose matters that had been held over for sentencing who became eligible for court ordered home detention in accordance with the changes to the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Act 1988. The department is now starting to see this plateau as anticipated and will have a better indication of future projections.

In relation to additional staffing, I can advise that the department has already added 16-full time staff to Community Corrections, including case managers and intensive compliance staff.

The department will continue to monitor and respond accordingly at each incremental growth period to ensure that the legislation is properly and safely implemented.