The Canine Handler

Within Australia’s justice system, the correctional services sector plays a major role in the management and supervision of offenders in both custodial and community-based corrections.

Within the correctional services sector there is also the aim to reduce the risk of re-offence through services and programs focussed on successful reintegration.

Correctional facilities are typically managed by state and territory governments; however, a number of facilities are now managed privately in NSW, SA, WA, Vic and Qld. The correctional services sector currently employs approximately 30,000 people. There were 114 custodial facilities across Australia as of 30 June 2012. There were also a number of privately-managed immigration detention centres under federal government direction.

During the third quarter of 2012, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicated that there were 29,392 full-time prisoners in Australia and 54,511 persons in community-based corrections. This reflected an increase of 351 persons (1%) in full-time custody and a decrease of 34 persons (less than 1%) in community-based corrections compared to 2011. Of the average daily number of full-time prisoners in Australia during the third quarter of 2012, 93% were male and 7% were female, while for community-based corrections, 82% were male and 18% were female.

VJ Bradley Conomy