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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 9 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 2736 ..

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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

QUESTION ON NOTICE

QUESTION NO 51

Corrections Officers

Mr Stanhope: - Asked the Minister for Justice and Community Safety - In relation to corrections officers

(1) How many such officers work in the ACT Government Service.

(2) Can you confirm if there are enough corrections officers in the ACT to effectively deal with those people on (a) probation, and (b) those offenders eligible for probation."

Mr Humphries - The answer to Mr Stanhope's question is as follows:

(1) I assume from the context of Mr Stanhope's question that he is referring to community corrections staff. There are currently 17 Probation and Parole Officers and 4 Senior Probation and Parole Officers.

(2) The Community Corrections Unit experienced a 65% increase in workload in the first quarter of this financial year, compared with the previous year's first quarter. At this stage it is difficult to conclude whether the increase is likely to be sustained in the longer term. Changes to work practice, organisational structure and staff numbers have allowed the increase to be absorbed.

There has been some difficulty in responding quickly to the escalating workload; however, ACT Corrective Services has addressed this issue, and now has sufficient staff to cope with current demands. Given the trend in increasing workload, the situation will require careful monitoring.

APPROVED FOR TABLING

GARY HUMPHRIES MLA

MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

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