The Department of Corrective Services has received $100 million over four years from the State Government to implement a comprehensive reform program to improve offender services in Western Australia.
The Department is using the funding to address many issues raised by the independent Mahoney Inquiry into Offender Management, undertaken in 2005. It is being channelled into initiatives aimed at building a solid and robust foundation for Corrective Services in the following areas:
- staffing levels;
- security and intelligence;
- offender assessment and case management;
- staff training and development; and
- organisational structure and processes
Staff
An extra 100 staff will be employed on-the-ground, over four years, to improve the level of supervision available to manage offenders in custody and in the community.
Security and intelligence
About $1m will be invested each year into an enhanced intelligence function, focused on gathering, analysing and recording intelligence about prisoners and offenders to minimise risks within the prison and to the community.
Offender assessment and case management
A range of reforms will see prisoners classified and managed more appropriately and offered a greater range of rehabilitative options, aimed at reducing the rate of re-offending throughout the State.
Staff training and development
Some $25m will be invested, over four years, to improve staff safety and boost training and development opportunities across the State. A thorough and independent review of staff safety of Community Justice Services' staff will be undertaken and improvements made to work places and practices.
Organisational structure and processes
A new professional standards directorate has been established to oversee risk management, corruption prevention, investigations and standards development. New integrated sentence management and integrated program management units will also be created.
