Residential Facilities and the compulsory drug treatment correctional centre

Background

Residential facilities are different from the secure correctional centres that we usually inspect.

Residential facilities assist offenders by providing:

• better access to stable accommodation
• education and training programs
• employment pathways
• health and well-being services
• drug treatment and support programs.

Residential facilities make a targeted contribution to the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

Where we inspected

We inspected several facilities.

The Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre

The Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre provides intensive drug treatment and reintegration support to men whose offending is connected to their substance use. Participants are supported to progress from closed detention to community supervision.

Bolwara Transitional Centre and Parramatta Transitional Centre

Bolwara Transitional Centre (BTC) and Parramatta Transitional Centre (PTC) offer support to women to successfully transition from custody to the community.

• BTC’s focus is on Aboriginal women with histories of substance use.
• PTC supports women serving longer sentences and can accommodate children residing with their mother.

Miruma and Balund-a residential programs

Miruma and Balund-a residential programs offer an intensive residential placement that effectively diverts an offender away from custody at either pre-conviction, pre-sentence or post-sentence.

• Miruma is available to women with coexisting mental health and alcohol and other drug issues.
• Balund-a offers a longer term program to men with a particular focus on providing a culturally responsive and supportive program to Aboriginal residents.

Nunyara Community Offender Support Program

Nunyara Community Offender Support Program offers short term placements to men who are subject to community supervision orders. Its primary focus is on assisting residents to identify and secure accommodation in the community.

Recommendations

The Inspector makes 48 recommendations. These include systemic and facility specific improvements in:

• Organisational structure and governance
• Staff training
• Reintegration support
• Accommodation and Infrastructure
• Utilisation
• Resident costs

Report

The Residential Facilities and the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre Report was tabled in parliament and published in February 2020.

Residential Facilities and the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre Report (PDF , 1.9 MB)

Media release