Community Corrections
April-June 2015
Community Corrections Officers as Change Agents
Motivational Interviewing
Addressing Attitudes
1
Contents
Introduction
3
About the newsletter
Community Corrections Officers as change agents
Research and Literature
4
Effective community-based supervision of young offenders
Motivational Interviewing as a Supervision Strategy in Probation: A Randomized Effectiveness Trial
No Illusions: Offenders and Organizational Change in Maryland’s Proactive Community Supervision Efforts
Keeping them off the corner: how probation officers steer offenders away from crime opportunities
Utilizing Behavioural Interventions to Improve Supervision Outcomes in Community-Based Corrections
Discussion
In Practice
6
Interviews as intervention
Using Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Addressing different types of resistant offender
What might a case plan with supervision as an intervention look like?
Offence mapping
Statistical trends
8
Offender populations
Offender Management Activity in the Community
Practice Guides
From the Field
10
Using SMS to motivate offenders and improve compliance
Managing grief in relapse prevention
Rationalisation or reluctance?
Questions that can support effective supervision
Patchwork
Office Profiles
13
Leichhardt
Dubbo
Standards and KPIs
15
Overview
Assessment Integrity
General information
16
Joined Up Justice
Community Corrections / PPOA Conference
New Legislation
Memoranda
Probation and Parole Officers Association
Public Service Association
Contacts
18
2
Introduction
About the newsletter
The purpose of the newsletter is to provide a mechanism for communicating relevant research, statistics, updates and
ideas, as well as information about Community Corrections and other areas within CSNSW.
More detailed information, such as the full text of research articles, will be made available on the intranet. All staff are
encouraged to review this material, and to provide any feedback or suggestions. The newsletter is issued quarterly.
To access current and previous editions of the Community Corrections newsletter online, go to Justice Intranet >>
Divisions >> Corrective Services >> Community Corrections >> Newsletter
Community Corrections Officers as Change Agents
Over time the emphasis on the role of Community Corrections Officer in NSW has shifted towards case
management and organising referrals, rather than direct intervention. Whilst referrals are still important, there
is a strong evidence base that suggests the intervention of the CCO can be one of the most effective means of
reducing reoffending.
This is not a case of going back to ‘how we used to do things’, or spending more time more often in interview
with offenders. Changing offending behaviour is inexorably linked to specific skills and techniques that must
be implemented properly for supervision to be effective. The research is equally clear that failing to do this
properly can also result in supervision by a CCO having little or no impact on reoffending.
The key skills to effect change revolve around implementation of Risk-Need-Responsivity principles and the
use of cognitive behavioural interventions. The mention of cognitive behavioural therapy is sometimes
interpreted as territory which can only be explored by psychologists, but the basic principles are not overly
complex and are well within the skillset of the CCO; namely change how someone thinks and the behaviour
will follow. This is demonstrated in the STICS model, detailed in the first edition of the Newsletter, which
achieved a 47% reduction in offending from interviews with a supervising officer. There was no increase in
how long CCOs saw the offender (27 minutes was the average interview), or how often, the key difference
was that interviews became focused and targeted criminogenic factors and attitudes.
The underlying reason why a CCO can be so effective is that the criminogenic factors which have the
strongest association with reoffending are not accommodation, substance abuse or employment, but the
offender’s anti-social attitudes. This is an area where intervention by the CCO should be one of the key
strategies for change. Very few other service providers seek to directly address offence related attitudes even if
they may target some of the symptoms, such as drug use. Attitudes associated with offending are not about
whether the offender was remorseful. They are about the underlying beliefs and cognitive deficits that enable
the offender to justify their offence to themselves and / or prevent the offender developing more pro social
responses. This may include disrespect for the rights of others, or of particular groups of people (eg sexist or
racist views), a belief in their own entitlement or that others owe them, or a belief that they are criminal by
nature and unable to change for the better.
Community Corrections has a key role to play in reducing reoffending, not just by assessing and referring
offenders, but by the professional work that is done by CCOs in their interaction with offenders. With over
300,000 interviews with offenders carried out each year, the potential to leverage change is enormous. The
challenge in achieving this potential is ensuring that each of these interactions remain focused on criminogenic
needs, challenges anti social thinking, and provides pro social alternatives, using evidence based skills such as
offence mapping, motivational interviewing, and pro social modelling. This is the direction which Community
Corrections is moving towards in order to further improve reoffending outcomes.
3
Research and Literature
Effective community-based supervision of
young offenders
(Trotter and Evans, 2012, NSW)
Motivational Interviewing as a Supervision
Strategy in Probation: A Randomized
Effectiveness Trial
(Walters, Vader, Nguyen, Harris and Eells, 2010, US)
Method
117 interviews were observed between Juvenile Justice
NSW counsellors or workers and juvenile offenders in
NSW during 2009-2010. The interviews were coded
according to the use of effective practice skills such as
role clarification, pro social modelling and cognitive
behavioural techniques demonstrated by the worker.
Reoffending rates were then measured over 2 years.
Method
A group of 10 Probation officers were trained in
Motivational Interviewing (MI), a second group (10)
were placed on a waiting list for MI training. A third
group (10) supervision-as-usual officers were selected
as a control group. The study measured change in
officer skill after undertaking a training program in MI
as well as at probationer outcomes when supervised by
officers with MI training. Poor probationer outcomes
included positive urinalysis results, new criminal
charges, probation revoked, and fail to report.
Results
An offender’s likelihood of reoffending was halved
when supervised by workers who utilised effective
practice skills. All practice skills measured were linked
to a reduction in reoffending. The use of appropriate
verbal rewards and encouragement by the worker and
using a non-blaming approach had the greatest impact
on reducing reoffending rates. Workers utilising all
effective practice skills had the lowest recidivism rates
for their offenders despite higher risk case loads.
Results
Training in MI improved an officer’s ability to
empathise. Further, a mere 1% increase in empathy by
an officer was linked to a 29% decrease in poor
outcomes for the offender.
Comments
Comments
These findings suggest that even a small positive change by an
officer can effect significant positive change for the offender. This
emphasises the importance of revising and improving Motivational
Interviewing skills. Nonetheless, the small sample size and small
effect size on officer empathy means results should be treated with
caution.
This and other research reported here and in earlier editions
underscore the point that supervision can be very effective in
reducing reoffending, but only if interviews utilise evidence based
techniques and target criminogenic need. A supervision interview
without these in place has no effect.
No Illusions: Offenders and Organizational Change in Maryland’s Proactive Community Supervision Efforts
(Taxman, 2008, United States)
Method
Treatment and control groups were identified each comprising 274 randomly selected offenders matched on key
variables. Offenders were moderate-high risk, with a mandatory supervision order of six months or more during 2004.
The treatment group was managed by officers who were trained in risk needs responsivity (RNR), motivational
interviewing and associated skills, and pro social communication. Performance measures and quality control were also
implemented to ensure adherence to evidence based supervision principles and provide feedback to staff which could be
used to improve. Outcomes measured included re-arrest and breach.
Results
Community Corrections Officers who used the new model, adhered to RNR, and incorporated cognitive behavioural
methods in interviews with the focus on facilitating offender change rather than referral had a direct and significant
impact on reduction in re-arrest rates (12%) and technical breaches (6.3%) for offenders. During the observation period,
30% of offenders supervised according to evidence based supervision guidelines reoffended compared with 42% of the
comparison group.
Comments
This study provides further evidence for the potential effectiveness of the supervising officer. It also adds performance measures and qualitative
review to ensure integrity of the supervision provided. Particularly given that the integrity of supervision (or lack thereof) can mean the
difference between significant reductions in reoffending and no change at all, critical review and performance measures provided in a constructive
manner should not be seen as undermining the professionalism of staff but rather as a tool for enhancing it.
4
Research and Literature
Keeping them off the corner: how probation
officers steer offenders away from crime
opportunities
(Miller, Copeland and Sullivan, 2015, US)
Utilizing Behavioural Interventions to Improve
Supervision Outcomes in Community-Based
Corrections
(Wodhal, Garland, Culhane and McCarty, 2011, US)
Method
40 interviews between Probation Officers and offenders
were analysed according to strategies used by officers to
steer probationers away from day-to–day crime
opportunities using Opportunity-Focussed Supervision
(OFS), a model based around environmental crime
factors.
Method
Records associated with a sample of 283 offenders
supervised between 2000 and 2003 were reviewed to
identify the use of sanctions and rewards. These included
verbal reprimand / praise and reinforcement, as well as
measures such as time in custody and reduction of time
for good behaviour. Outcome measures were focused on
successful completion.
Results
Officers concentrated on unstructured time; time spent
at crime prone places or with associates in ways that
could encourage crime. Awareness of these
opportunities increased as the officer spent more time
with the probationer. Time limits, directions not to
associate and directions to attend activities were
strategies used by officers to encourage offenders away
from crime opportunities. Secondary tools included
identifying and engaging pro social influences. Getting
to know the probationer and knowledge of what to
avoid was based on analysis of the individual case rather
than through a systematic analysis of crime data.
Results
Rewards were more effective than sanctions in achieving
behaviour change; however the most effective approach
was the combined use of rewards and sanctions. The
ideal ratio was four rewards to every sanction, although
higher rates were just as effective. This was more than
twice as effective as the use of sanctions alone, and one
and a half times as effective as the use of rewards alone.
Comments
Although the sanctions and rewards in this study included variables
that cannot be applied on many of the orders managed in NSW,
one of the most commonly used methods to both reward and sanction
was verbal feedback from the supervising officer. As a basic
learning principle, immediate feedback is more effective than
delayed. An officer providing immediate feedback, even if just via a
verbal warning or praise, is likely to be much more effective in
achieving behaviour change than a more significant reward or
sanction which is delayed (eg early termination, waiting for a
warning from SPA, or breach outcome from the court). The NSW
Drug Court evaluation found that acknowledging positive progress
through simple applause was often more effective and significant to
offenders that giving more tangible rewards such as movie tickets.
Comments
Much of the Opportunity-Focussed Supervision (OFS) overlaps
with other evidence based practice such as RNR and cognitive
behavioural therapy programs and social learning strategies. The
qualitative surveys do not offer any greater insight into reduction in
recidivism other than to note that associates, places and decision
making by the offender can affect success on an order. Nonetheless
the awareness of environmental and social triggers can be an
important component of understanding and managing risk.
Discussion
One of the most effective interventions for reducing risk of reoffending can be the Community Corrections officer.
However as these and other articles (in particular the Black Box and STICS articles outlined in the Jul-Sep 2014 edition)
highlight, this is only the case where evidence based techniques are employed. Simply sitting down with an offender or
referring them to other service providers is by itself not effective; interviews must be focused on factors related to
offending, in particular offence related attitudes and beliefs, and use techniques such as motivational interviewing, pro
social modelling and reinforcement.
Using offence mapping early on in supervision can provide a sound basis for this, by exploring the offence in a way that
gives both the officer and offender a common understanding of what the risk factors are, and therefore what will be
discussed over subsequent supervision interviews. The appropriate and balanced use of rewards and sanctions is also
highlighted in the research but it is worth emphasising that these don’t need to be large events such as return to custody
or reductions in reporting frequency. Simple verbal or written feedback can work to both praise and congratulate the
offender on progress, and confront them appropriately when they transgress. The key benefit of this approach to
rewards and sanctions is that it can be used at every interview, providing an immediate feedback response to both
positive and negative attitudes and behaviours.
5
In Practice
Interviews as intervention
MI employs four basic interaction skills:
 ask open questions, let the offender have their say
 provide affirmations and positive feedback
 use reflective listening
 periodically provide summary statements
Over the past three months, Community Corrections
Refresher workshops have been convened across the
state for all Community Corrections officers. The
training focussed on the skills that underpin Risk, Need,
Responsivity evidence based practices and complement
the service delivery standards. These skills comprise
accurate risk assessments of offenders, development of
plans, and engagement with offenders to promote
behavioural change.
The 5 principles of MI are to:
 Roll with resistance
 Express empathy (but don’t sympathise)
 Avoid arguments
 Develop discrepancies and highlight inconsistencies
 Support self-efficacy
Effective practice skills including Motivational
Interviewing can have a direct positive effect on a
reduction in re-offence rates for supervised offenders,
especially in the higher risk categories. Reductions of up
to 47% are possible simply by changing how interviews
are conducted, but only if the interview focuses on key
criminogenic factors, in particular attitude.
Addressing different types of resistant offender
Reluctant; The individual lacks knowledge about the
problem or personal impact that the behaviour can have
and thus does not consider change necessary. Reluctant
offenders can often respond well to sensitive feedback
about how the behaviour is actually affecting their lives.
Structuring interview sessions with offenders that focus
on the “Big Four” factors of anti-social behaviour has
the greatest impact on reduction in recidivism. These
factors are all strongly correlated with anti-social
attitudes and beliefs, including associating with peers
who are themselves anti-social. The impact of attitude
on reoffending is almost twice as significant as more
‘obvious’ factors such as drug and alcohol abuse. This is
one reason why the Community Corrections officer can
have such a profound impact when targeting attitudes.
Rebellious: The individual is afraid of losing control
over their lives and have a large investment in their
choices. Strive to shift this energy into making more
positive choices for themselves. Putting emphasis on
personal control can work well.
Resigned: The individual feels hopeless and
overwhelmed. They may have been in treatment many
times before or have tried repeatedly to quit on their
own. Promote self-efficacy to help regain hope, focus on
small achievements, and use failures to learn.
Using Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a style that works to
facilitate and engage intrinsic motivation within an
individual to promote behaviour change. It is a goaloriented, client-centred approach for eliciting behaviour
change by helping individuals explore and resolve
ambivalence. MI does not need to take any more time
to use as it is a skill that can be used both in short
interactions with offenders as well as lengthy interviews.
Getting Ready for Change
 Use open questions
 Listen for change talk
 Support self-sufficiency
 Deploy discrepancy
Rationalisers: The individual has all the answers. They
may express the idea that the behaviour may be a
problem for others, but not for them. Work through
discrepancies in what they say. Don’t discount any
benefits they may get from the behaviour, but weigh
them against the cost.
Ready for Change
 Support self-sufficiency
 Explore confidence and priorities
 Build confidence and resilience
 Be patient
Maintenance
 Support behaviour change
 Discuss hurdles, be realistic
 Support self-sufficiency
 Reinforce confidence
 Discuss plans for possible relapse
Changing
 Affirm efforts to change
 Explore options and services
 Develop achievable goals
 Provide monitoring and support
After Relapse
 Build confidence
 Discuss what has been learnt
 Strategies for next time
 Reframe the situation as learning
experience and empathise
6
In Practice
What might a case plan with supervision as an intervention look like?
Reporting to the office is not just to ‘meet service delivery standards’. The interaction with an offender can be one of
the most powerful interventions in reducing reoffending, but only if it has clearly defined objectives to be achieved. The
purpose of reporting should therefore be reflected clearly in the case plan. Relate this step to the process of effecting
change, and articulate the strategies that will be used. An example of how this might look is provided below.
For brevity, this example doesn’t include the factors – which will provide important information on what his high risk
triggers look like. It identifies some of values the offender has identified as important to him which may be useful in
moving the offender toward change (ie he values his children and autonomy). It also anticipates what steps will be taken
once the offender becomes more cooperative. The specific skills to be used in each interview, such as motivational
interactions, are not detailed as how these are used will depend on how the offender presents at each interview. A clear
picture of the directions for interview is more important to ensure the interview meets supervision goals.
Remember that a single step can address multiple factors. Supervision interviews could be targeted to address several
criminogenic needs, particularly where those needs are closely related to each other.
Offence Mapping
Offences don’t “just happen”. Many factors can contribute to offending behaviour, but it is essential to understand how
these work to cause offending for each individual. Many people have relationship breakdowns, lose their jobs,
experience disadvantage or abuse substances without becoming violent, stealing, or committing other offences.
Exploring how and why an individual offender reacts in an anti-social manner to these situations is critical in developing
strategies that place the offender in control of their actions and give them pro social alternatives. Awareness of their
offence cycle is a protective factor which can be increased by exploring the offending behaviour in an offence map.



Build-up
The offence
Afterwards
What happened in the 24-48 hours leading up to the offence?
Who was there, what happened, what the offender did, thought and felt.
How did they react, what did they feel, why did they respond that way
Use visual tools such as a whiteboard where available to create a timeline of the offender’s responses. At each key point
in the story identify what the offender was thinking and feeling, and link each behaviour to the next. Once this is
complete, look at the offender’s broader history, in particular where there is a pattern of behaviours, relationships or
environments that might enable the offence cycle to arise.


Lifestyle / Background Ongoing anti-social behaviours or attitudes eg towards other people, drug use.
High Risk Situations
What situations often lead to offending eg stressed, conflict with others, peers.
Completing an offence map with an offender early in their order provides the supervising officer with an opportunity to
build rapport, utilise motivational interviewing skills and centre case plan objectives on issues articulated by the offender
themselves. Risk factors identified in the offence map can provide a prompt in interviews throughout supervision to
keep them focused on offence related needs, and help in spotting circumstances that might indicate increased risk.
7
Statistical Trends
Community population
As at 1 June 2015
Total offenders*
Male
14,135
Female
2,395
Total**
16,564
Active offenders only*
11,930
2,041
13,995
2110
1335
4295
93
1442
57
1161
2147
71
195
420
253
79
957
44
246
6
159
363
15
57
61
2363
1415
5267
139
1688
74
1322
2513
86
252
483
Court based parole
SPA parole
S9
S10
S12
Bail supervision
Intensive correction order
Community service order
Home detention
Drug court
All other (eg federal recog, interstate)
Total supervision
Total community service work
*Total offenders is the count used in the Offender Population Report, and counts all orders active in OIMS, including
suspensions, expired orders, and orders that have not yet commenced. Active offenders excludes these orders. Note that some
offenders may have multiple orders, and are counted once in each category, and once in the overall total.
**Includes a small number of offenders where gender has not yet been recorded.
Institutional population
As at 1 June 2015
Total offenders in custody*
Male
10,926
Female
862
Total
11,788
7493
3398
556
301
8049
3699
Sentenced
Remand
*All offenders in custody, including those with no Community Corrections contact
Reports
Average reports per month, July 2014 to June 2015
Total
Court advice
Full pre-sentence
Short pre-sentence
ICO assessment
HD assessment
7849
10804
2359
275
Pre release
Full pre release
Supplementary
1501
862
8
Statistical Trends
Offender Management Activity in the Community
Contact levels for supervised offenders are determined by the Service Delivery Standards and the offender’s assessed
level of risk.
The data below shows total offender contacts, by type, in 2015 as recorded in case notes. Most contacts are by
Community Corrections Officers (CCOs) but also include activities undertaken by Client Service Officers and other
roles, whilst program activities are primarily provided by staff from Offender Services and Programs.
In 2014, including field visits Community Corrections Officers had over 300,000 face to face contacts with offenders in
the Community each year in relation to supervision, community service and court assessments. In addition, there were
over 240,000 contacts established with offenders via phone.
Practice Guides
The large number of contacts with offenders underscores the potential that the Community Corrections Officer has to
effect behavioural change and reduce reoffending. Contact with a CCO in the community occurs at over 10 times the
frequency of program sessions.
This is one reason that Community Corrections will be introducing practice guides as a tool to assist CCOs in their one
to one work with offenders. An example of an early draft of one of these guides was included in recent refresher
training, and examples have been sent out to several locations for testing and feedback. Further development work is
continuing to refine the exercises based on this feedback, and at this stage it is anticipated that the guides will be
finalised in early 2016.
The practice guides will support the work already being undertaken by many CCOs, by providing exercises and
worksheets that can be used to assist in structuring and implementing behaviour change strategies using evidence based
techniques. The exercises will be brief, and assist officers to implement intervention strategies in a relatively short
interview.
They have been developed in conjunction with Offender Services & Programs, and are linked to the content and
philosophies of the EQUIPS programs. Basing the guides on the content of the EQUIPS program will have the
additional benefit of maximising consistency of the messages being provided between supervision and programs.
Although based around EQUIPS these will provide an additional tool to be used where appropriate with all supervised
offenders whether they are undertaking programs or not. Similar tools are currently used in other jurisdictions and by
Juvenile Justice.
9
From the Field
A nudge in the right direction - using SMS to motivate offenders
Senior Community Corrections Officer Nicola Kidston was nominated by a colleague for her success in using the
Message Media SMS service to improve program delivery and offender engagement. Nicola identified a need for
programs in Nyngan, a remote community 165km west of Dubbo. With these large distances CSNSW programs were
not available so with the assistance of the local Aboriginal Client Service Officer, Guy Naden, she co-ordinated a 2 day
anger management program to be delivered by an appropriate local Indigenous service provider. To try and maximise
attendance, Nicola utilised the new SMS text messaging system to send encouraging reminders to the offenders both
early the night before and on the morning of the program. 10 offenders were scheduled to attend, and 11 showed up
(including one offender who was not expected but messaged just in case), with all of them successfully completing.
Nicola and Guy have also been using the text messaging to assist with managing individual offenders with poor
reporting histories. One particular medium-high risk Aboriginal man who was about to be breached for failure to
maintain contact has started reporting consistently since she commenced using SMS to remind him of appointments.
Similarly, other staff at Dubbo office have also begun using the tool to improve program attendance and completion,
and as a means of providing messages of positive reinforcement particularly for individuals who are not always
comfortable communicating in face to face interaction.
Managing grief in relapse prevention
Chris Hughes at the Newcastle Drug Court team was nominated by a colleague for his approach to dealing with an
offender who had recently experienced the loss of his mother. This unexpected event triggered significant grief for the
offender, and was identified as a high risk period for relapse into drug use. Chris responded in a positive and supportive
manner, working in conjunction with the offender’s family and partner to motivate him to remain on track despite a
lapse to cannabis and statements by the offender that he thought he might be better returning to custody to remain
abstinent. Managing the situation included multiple home visits and contacts with the offender’s family, and working
closely with other service providers to coordinate responses. In his interactions with the offender Chris used techniques
in interview such as short term goal setting to try and motivate the offender by making success seem achievable despite
his situation. Recognising that the reaction to his mother’s death was negatively impacting the offender’s responsivity to
intervention, Chris related these goals back to how she might have wanted him to act in order to maintain engagement.
The offender has managed to stay in the community and has since stabilised and obtained full time employment with an
employer who has been supportive of assisting the offender to remain engaged with the Drug Court program.
Chris is also a member of the Hunter Homlessness Connect Team, trying to reduce homelessness in the Hunter Region.
Both Nicola and Chris will receive a $25 book voucher, awarded by the Assistant Commissioner. If
you would like to make a submission to show an example of your work or that of a colleague that
may assist in developing skills or knowledge, e-mail [email protected] with the
subject line of ‘newsletter’.
10
From the Field
Rationalisation or reluctance?
Based on an interview with an offender who had recently relapsed.
.
I am concerned that you will start
The drugs are not an issue. My dole
It’s the food, rent, and all the other
offending again to support your
money covers them.
bills that I can’t afford.
drug use.
Consider what sort of attitudes might be underpinning the offender’s thinking, and how the CCO could begin to
address these. Also think about what other questions might help to further elicit whether the offender is deliberately
rationalising their behaviour, or lacks insight and is demonstrating reluctance.
Interview questions that can assist with supervision
Submitted by Grahame Chaseling, Coffs Harbour Community Corrections
Adapted from ‘Staff Survey – Relationships for Effective Supervision’, originally published in the Academy journal (AJCSD)
At initial contacts engage the offender by using open questions such as;
“How did you come to be involved in the offence?” “What were you thinking about at the time?”, “What have you thought about since?”
Listen attentively and draw the story out until you understand their thinking, behaviour and experience. Do not judge,
but also avoid affirmation of their behaviour or thinking. This is consistent with a Socratic engagement style using
empathy and objectivity, as opposed to sympathy or advocacy. Once their story is out, questions might include;
“Notwithstanding what you were thinking about at the time of the offence, what have you thought about since your arrest?”, or “Which bits
do you feel able to accept responsibility for?”
Move into introducing issues of personal responsibility, also laying foundations for supporting commitment and
ownership of supervision outcomes;
“In order for you to see supervision as meaningful, it is important for me to understand how you came to be here, and what would help you to
look back on supervision as having been a positive experience”.
“Thinking about what might have made a difference to prevent your offence, what might a good supervision outcome look like for you?”
As an example, some variations that might be useful in domestic violence matters may include;
“When you and your partner got together ten years ago, my guess would be that facing Court on these charges was not the outcome you were
looking for. What did you want your relationship to be like then?”
“What do you think a good supervision outcome might look like to your partner / children?”
11
From the Field
Community Resources - Patchwork
Patchwork is an online application that has been commissioned by the Department of Family and Community Services
(FaCS). It is a contact directory to find and get in touch with clients, agencies and workers. Case workers or CCOs can
quickly and easily connect to new clients and build a team that works with the client. The experience of FaCS in using
the tool in a pilot roll out has been very positive to date, and Community Corrections is looking at utilising it. It offers
time saving potential by linking all agencies, connecting directly to the individual case worker rather than the agency, and
being able to access everyone at once through online communication.
Patchwork does require some commitment at the local level to get established. It is necessary to engage with other
service providers and get them on board to use the system, as well as ensuring that the local office is using the system
appropriately so that information in it is up to date and comprehensive.
Example
A CCO is supervising a high risk offender for domestic violence offences who is subject to a Family Court order
limiting contact with his children, he has drug and alcohol issues and a current housing application.






Patchwork would allow the CCO to log on to an online application,
Invite FaCS child protection worker, Housing NSW, the area health service and any other relevant providers to
join a group focussed on this client and share information.
Access up to date information on the most relevant contact person at each agency and their details;
Contact and share information as per usual via phone and e-mail;
Simultaneously contact all associated providers if needed;
Create or receive alerts to / from any service provider in relation to the offender which will alert everyone
associated with the offender if a significant event occurs
How to register?
Community Corrections is looking for willing participants to trial use of this service in a limited number of locations
prior to any wider rollout. If there is interest at your location please speak with your manager and ask them to send an
email to [email protected]. If sufficient interest is generated in your area logins will be arranged. As part
of the trial, you will be contacted from time to time by a project officer.
12
Community Corrections Offices
Leichhardt
Location
Leichhardt Community Corrections is
located in the inner western suburbs of
Sydney. The office covers approximately 30
suburbs with a diverse range of
demographics
including
Alexandra,
Annandale,
Balmain,
Beaconsfield,
Birchgrove, Camperdown, Chippendale,
Darlington,
Dulwich
Hill,
Enmore,
Erskineville, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Hurlstone
Park, Leichhardt, Lewisham, Lilyfield,
Marrickville, Newtown, Petersham, Redfern,
Rozelle, St Peters, Stanmore, Sydenham,
Tempe, Waterloo and Zetland.
Staff
Manager – Nicole Cleary
Unit leaders x 3
Community Corrections Officer x 17
Psychologist x 1
Aboriginal Client Service Officers x 2
Administration staff x 4
Community Service team x 2
Major issues and challenges
The key challenge for Leichhardt office is servicing clients in crisis. The
inner city areas in particular have a high representation of offenders with
chronic mental health, drug and alcohol addictions, and challenges such
as lack of family support and stable accommodation. This provides a
highly dynamic work environment where long term planning with
offenders who live day to day can be especially challenging.
The district covered by Leichhardt Community Corrections includes
Nunyara COSP, numerous boarding houses, the Haymarket Centre, and
three of the Transitional Supported Accommodation funded services
including Rainbow Lodge, Glebe House and Guthrie House and other
rehabilitation centres such as WHOs in Rozelle.
With high levels of transience and homelessness, Leichhardt accepts a
significant amount of offenders placed in temporary accommodation
with drug summit funding and works with these offenders to find stable
and longer term accommodation options in the community.
Local initiatives and achievements
Through the funded partnerships program Leichhardt office administers
the placement of offenders at Rainbow Lodge, Guthrie House, Glebe
House and manages case management placements through CRC. The
coordination of these services has been challenging within the broader
Offenders
context of the complex offender demographic, but provides valuable
Leichhardt office manages over 500 services to offenders in need.
offenders per month on a variety of
orders/assessments including the completion The goals and aspirations of Leichhardt Community Corrections are to
of more than 60 pre sentence and court duty provide a quality service to clients that enables effective reintegration
reports per month.
into the community and to ensure an increased level of community
safety and to enable us to provide quality culturally appropriate services.
Leichhardt office supervises a high number
of offenders with complex needs and a range Leichhardt office continues to support and to offer a variety of
of challenging behaviours, including programs to offenders, this includes fostering and maintaining working
increased levels of mental health, drug and relationships with key stakeholders and service providers in the area.
alcohol addiction, transience and Aboriginal Staff at Leichhardt office endeavour to encourage one another by
offenders.
creating a harmonious and supportive work environment.
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Community Corrections Offices
Dubbo
Location
Dubbo is located some 400 kms west of
Sydney. It is a large inland city which boasts
a population of 48,000. The name Dubbo
comes from the Wiradjuri word meaning ‘red
ochre’. Dubbo Community Corrections
covers the communities of Nyngan, Warren,
Gilgandra, Dunedoo and Narromine, as well
as other towns accessed from these regional
centres.
Staff
Manager - Narelle Jeffrey
Unit Leaders x 2
CCO’s/Case Managers x 10
ACSO x 2
Administrative assistants x 2
CSO AA x 1
Offenders
Dubbo Community Corrections manages all
types of orders including Good Behaviour
Bonds, Home Detention, Electronic
Monitoring, Parole and Community Service
orders. Offender numbers subject to
supervision can fluctuate; however on
average Dubbo has approximately 350 to
400 offenders under supervision at any time.
Major issues and challenges
Dubbo is a large regionally positioned office in Western NSW. The
Aboriginal nation is the Wiradjuri nation. Dubbo is regarded as the
‘Hub of West’ due to the service provision offered from the city to
more remote western communities, this often results in offenders from
more western locations visiting the city or temporarily re-settling in
Dubbo. This can see Dubbo supervision numbers swelling throughout
the year, dependent upon sporting and other community events
occurring within the city.
Access to services to target substance abuse/dependency issues is
limited within the Dubbo area. Considerable wait periods exist for
offenders seeking access to mainstream counselling services or
admission to full time residential rehabilitation services. While Dubbo
Community Corrections has a well-developed relationship with health
and community services who provide support and assistance to those
struggling with dependency/addiction issues, resourcing constraints can
impede referral pathways.
Dubbo Community Corrections offers late night reporting each week,
usually coinciding with program facilitation, and performs weekly afterhours and weekend visits to identified higher risk offenders.
Local initiatives and achievements
Dubbo Community Corrections has contributed to the beatification of
the Dubbo community through the Community Service Scheme.
Dubbo has had a long standing Community Service Consultation
Committee which meets monthly at the Dubbo office. Representatives
from a wide range of agencies and organisations have membership on
this committee and it is from here that decisions in relation to work
projects are discussed and prioritised. Currently the committee
comprises of representatives from West Dubbo Rotary, Lions, Scouts,
CWA Talbragar, Dubbo and Wongarbon branches, Dubbo Rescue
Squad, Rawsonville Hall and Rawsonville Pony Club to name a few. In
addition Dubbo has long standing partnerships with Dubbo City
Council and Taronga Western Plains Zoo who have provided work
placements for offenders for over a decade.
Presently, Dubbo has high numbers of
offenders subject to Good Behaviour Bonds
which illustrates the most common
sentencing preference from the regional
courts. Most orders are conditioned for
intervention to address Domestic Violence
and substance abuse issues.
The main
offence types are offences relating to
substance issues (Break and Enter, Stealing,
Goods in Custody) to Assaults on person In 2014, Dubbo Community Corrections completed work projects to
(non-DV) and Domestic Violence offences.
the value of $156, 000 for the benefit of the local community.
Dubbo has a disproportionate number of
Aboriginal offenders subject to supervision.
Many offenders identify as belonging to
different Aboriginal nations. Over the past
several years, there has been a steady increase
in the relocation of families from remote
communities to Dubbo.
In addition to labouring work opportunities for offenders, Dubbo
Community Corrections manage a supervised work group with
assistance from members of the CWA who teach offenders to knit and
crotchet. Offenders with medical limitations or specialist needs are still
able to fulfil their work obligations by attending the knitting program.
This program has seen the completion of many knee rugs which are
dispersed through Rotary to local and international aid efforts, as well as
the production of beanies for premature babies. Dubbo Community
Corrections is always eager to receive donations of wool (8 ply acrylic is
preferable) in order to continue this worthwhile project.
14
Standards and KPIs
Overview of Standards and KPIs
The Standards for Community Operations (the ‘Standards’) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were first developed in 2012
to assist managers and staff to enhance quality service delivery to offenders in the community. They also form the basis
for assessment during reviews undertaken by the Operational Performance Review Branch.
Standards and KPIs are grouped into six key areas, including Assessment and Planning, Supervision, Reports, Community Service
Work, Administration and Record Keeping, and Office Management.
The Standards are outcome focused and are intended to assist staff in moving away from process driven work practices
to a culture of contemplating why they are performing a task, and what they are trying to achieve. The Standards have
been developed to allow scope for personal work practices and professional judgement and do not generally provide a
prescriptive framework for offender management. In some areas such prescription may however be given within policy.
The Standards and KPIs should be viewed as complementary measures of performance, with common outcomes.
Below is an overview of the Standards and KPIs relating to verification of information. The full Standards documents
provide more detail regarding the purpose and evaluation of the Standards, and can be found online via the Community
Corrections homepage.
Initial Interviews
Outcome
Interviews with offenders are directed towards the development and then implementation of the case plan, with a clear
understanding held between the offender and officer of their respective roles and responsibilities.
Benefits
-
Risks
The supervision of an offender which is driven by a thorough and verified risk assessment and case plan
represents the most effective and accountable management strategy for reducing reoffending.
Adhering to the approved case plan provides integrity and accountability to case management decisions and
activities.
Supporting the offender to make lifestyle changes within offence related domains contributes to reducing their
risk of re-offending.
Promoting changes in offence related attitudes and beliefs has been shown to be one of the most effective
means of reducing risks associated with offending.
-
Failure to manage risk factors related to offending behaviours is unlikely to contribute to any reduction in reoffending.
- Supervision which is primarily focused on order compliance may be associated with increased recidivism.
- Failure to properly manage an offender in an accountable manner may result in adverse consequences to the
community and to the organisation.
Standards
2.2.S.1.1 The purpose and requirements of the legal order are explained to the offender at the earliest opportunity.
2.2.S.1.2 Relevant information is gathered early on to inform and drive supervision
2.2.S.2.1 Continuity of offender management is maintained during supervision
2.2.S.2.2 Offender interviews are targeted towards implementation of the case plan.
KPIs
2.2.K.1.2 Face to face contact occurs within supervision standards
15
General Information
Joined Up Justice
After a hiatus of around 2 years due to limited funding, there has been significant development on the Joined Up Justice
project over the last few months. The project will enable court data to be sent instantly into OIMS, ultimately removing
the need to register orders and requests or receive them via e-mail or fax.
The work undertaken in the last few months has involved Community Corrections working closely with Sentence
Administration, Courts and Tribunal Services, and Syscon on both technical elements to ensure systems are working
properly, as well as resolving business rules to support the new processes. It is anticipated at this stage that the new
system could be active as early as September 2015, however to minimise the risk of error changes will be implemented
slowly and the initial rollout will involve minimal impact on current processes. Further information will be provided as
the details of the new system are finalised.
Community Corrections / PPOA Conference
CSNSW, in collaboration with the NSW Probation and Parole Officers Association (PPOA), is convening a two day
staff development seminar for Community Corrections on 15 -16 October 2015.
The theme for the event is Defining the Role of Community Corrections in 2015 and Beyond. This theme will
enable field and academic experts to explore the complex role and inaccuracies in the perception of conflict between
achieving community protection and utilising evidence based practice. Speakers will include Dr Guy Bourgon, Professor
Chris Trotter, Dr Don Weatherburn, the Honorable James Wood, and Professor James Ogloff.
The idea for the seminar stemmed from feedback provided in a state wide staff survey of Community Corrections staff
in September 2014 and through quarterly consultation meetings with the PPOA.
The speakers will be filmed and able to be viewed by staff unable to attend the two day seminar and the event will
culminate in the 40th Anniversary formal dinner celebration of the PPOA.
New Legislation
Recent Memoranda
On 29 May 2015, His Excellency the Governor
approved a variation of the proclamation of the
Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre to change its
name to the Kariong Correctional Centre. Kariong is
to become a specialist correctional centre tasked with
reducing re-offending by young adult males, with a
priority for Aboriginal offenders.
2015/06 Quarterly performance reporting requirements
2015/07 Update to institutional workload model
2015/08 The working with children check and
community service workers
2015/09 Sending reports to court via email
On 29 May 2015, the revocation of the proclamation
of the Campbelltown COSP as a residential facility
under the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999
(CAS Act) was approved by His Excellency the
Governor. Under the CAS Act, residential facilities
must be managed by a person employed under the
Government Sector Employment Act 2013. This precludes a
private operator from managing residential facilities.
As part of the Funded Partnership Initiative,
management of the Campbelltown COSP site is being
outsourced to a private or not-for-profit organisation.
The proclamation of the COSP as a residential facility
must therefore be revoked to allow this to occur.
2015/10 Staff survey: Quality Service Delivery in
Community Corrections
2015/11 Addition of Section E: Extended Supervision
Orders to the Community Corrections Policy and
Procedures Manual
2015/12 Urinalysis drug screening
2015/13 Format of Case Numbers and Change IDs for
entry into OIMS
16
General Information
Probation and Parole Officers Association
The Probation and Parole Officers Association meets on a quarterly basis with Community Corrections senior
management to champion the aims of professional development for all Community Corrections staff. As a result of this
ongoing, positive engagement, senior management approached the PPOA with the prospect of collaborating to provide
a two day staff development seminar in place of the originally planned one day development day.
The PPOA has agreed to this exciting collaboration and is working closely with CSNSW to develop a program of
international and national field and academic experts to present on the theme of Defining the Role of Community
Corrections in 2015 and Beyond.
The reasons why PPOA NSW has agreed to collaborate with CSNSW for this two day seminar are:
-
-
the opportunity to be involved in planning, influencing and delivering a professional development event which
would at this stage be outside the capacity of PPOA alone
the opportunity for increased representation from regional members to attend, engage and benefit from a two
day seminar
the opportunity to invite international, as well as interstate, academic and field experts to speak
in acknowledgement that PACCOA will not be convening a national conference this year.
The staff development seminar will be held at Rydges, World Square on Thursday and Friday 15-16 October 2015.
CSNSW is seeking equal representation from regional and metro locations and it is expected that with provision for
travel and accommodation for regional staff, many of the regional members will endeavour to attend this event.
In the event that some PPOA members miss out on the first round of selections in their locations but are still keen to
attend, contact can be made with Vice President PPOA NSW, [email protected]. It must be noted that
operational requirements at each Community Corrections Office will need to be maintained.
The previously announced PPOA 40th Anniversary dinner has been relocated to the Menzies Hotel 14 Carrington Street,
Sydney on the evening of Friday 16 October 2015. There will be a formal dinner with awards and entertainment from
6pm – 11:30pm. More information will be sent to members upon finalisation of the dinner arrangements and
accommodation rates.
Nominations will be sought within the coming months for 1st year officer award and the Alan Brush award. Details of
the criteria are available by emailing [email protected]
Further to the above event, the partnership between PPOA NSW members and the University of Western Sydney
Social Science faculty is underway. Lectures are being recorded in preparation for second semester tutorials in the
undergraduate course unit on community corrections. Members who expressed an interest in this opportunity are being
engaged as tutors at various UWS campus.
For more details please visit www.ppoansw.com.au, and follow us on Facebook for updates.
Public Service Association
The Community Corrections (Vocational Branch) Advisory Group met with the Minister for Corrections on 6 May
2015, which was a great opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to Community Corrections including staffing, resources
and the positive work done by Community Corrections.
The Community Corrections (Vocational Branch) Advisory Group met with Community Corrections Senior
Management on 18 June 2015. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 September 2015.
17
Contacts
Community Corrections Offices
Albury
Armidale
Bankstown
Batemans Bay
Bathurst
Bega
Blacktown
Bourke
Bowral
Broken Hill
Burwood
Campbelltown
Casino
Cessnock
City
City - court duty
Coffs Harbour
Cooma
Coonamble
Dee Why
Dubbo
Fairfield
Forbes
Glen Innes
Gosford
Goulburn
Grafton
Griffith
Gunnedah
Hornsby
Hurstville
Inverell
Kempsey
Lake Macquarie
Leichhardt
Lismore
Lithgow
Liverpool
Long Bay Parole Unit
Maitland
Moree
Mt. Druitt
Muswellbrook
Newcastle
Nowra
Orange
Parramatta
Penrith
Port Macquarie
(02) 6058-8100
(02) 6772-2073
(02) 9707-2144
(02) 4472-4987
(02) 6332-2737
(02) 6492-3144
(02) 9854-5250
(02) 6870-8000
(02) 4861-3777
(08) 8082-3000
(02) 8775-4800
(02) 8796 1900
(02) 6662-4311
(02) 4991-1702
(02) 9265-7500
(02) 9287-7118
(02) 6652-6933
(02) 6452-1903
(02) 6822-1988
(02) 9982-7266
(02) 6883-5000
(02) 8717-4600
(02) 6851-9900
(02) 6732-2644
(02) 4324-3744
(02) 4824-2299
(02) 6643-2585
(02) 6964-2242
(02) 6742-5220
(02) 9479-2100
(02) 9579-6200
(02) 6721-0309
(02) 6561-3100
(02) 4956-5533
(02) 9508-2500
(02) 6623-7200
(02) 6352-1555
(02) 9612-0800
(02) 9289-2172
(02) 4933-4333
(02) 6750-7800
(02) 8886-6000
(02) 6549-0600
(02) 4918-7998
(02) 4424-6700
(02) 6361-4666
(02) 9685-2666
(02) 4777-8400
(02) 6583-6677
Queanbeyan
Silverwater
Sutherland
Tamworth
Taree
Tumut
Wagga Wagga
Wellington
Windsor
Wollongong
Wyong
Young
(02) 6229-7500
(02) 9289-5945
(02) 9521-3544
(02) 6763-3700
(02) 6552-7599
(02) 6947-4104
(02) 6932-7400
(02) 6845-4311
(02) 4571-6000
(02) 4267-6500
(02) 4355-7700
(02) 6382-3599
Other
Academy
(02) 9804-5444
Balund-A
(02) 6660-8600
Child Protection
[email protected]
ESO team
(02) 9854-5200
IC&T helpdesk
(02) 8346-1245
Miruma
(02) 4993-2212
Nunyara COSP
(02) 9289-2950
OPRB (Standards/KPIs) (02) 8346 1403
Policy Unit
[email protected]
Statewide Disabilities
[email protected]
Staff Support
1300 363 202
[email protected]
18