Corrective Services NSW
Offender Classification & Case Management
Policy & Procedures Manual
7.2 – TRANSITIONAL SUPPORT FRAMEWORK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7.2.
Transitional Support Framework .................................................................................................... 2
7.2.1.
Responsibility ................................................................................................................................. 2
7.2.2.
Legislation / Policy ......................................................................................................................... 2
7.2.3.
Initial Case Plan ............................................................................................................................. 3
7.2.4.
Classification, Placement and Case Plan Reviews........................................................................ 3
7.2.5.
Planning Your Release: NSW Exit Checklist ................................................................................. 4
7.2.6.
Additional Resources for Transitional Support ............................................................................... 4
7.2.7.
Expos ............................................................................................................................................. 5
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7.2.
Transitional Support Framework
7.2.1. Responsibility
7.2.2.

Reception / Induction Process

Manager/Deputy Manager, Classification & Placement

Case Management Team

Manager, Offender Services & Programs (Employment)

Classification & Case Management Review Coordinator

Correctional Manager, Case Management, Classification and Placement (GEO)

Case Management Supervisor (GEO)

Assistant Superintendent / SCO

Case Plan Coordinator

Case Officer

Probation & Parole Officer

Offender Services & Programs staff

Statewide Disability Services staff

External Corrective Services Industries (CSI) staff

Aboriginal Strategy and Policy Unit

Aboriginal Client Service Officer
Legislation / Policy
Section 10 Custodial Corrections Operations Procedures Manual (CCOPM) – Reception
Section 11 Custodial Corrections Operations Procedures Manual (CCOPM) – Release
Section 20 Offender Classification and Case Management Policy and Procedures Manual – External Leave
Programs
Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014
Clause 25(2)(e) states:
An inmate’s case plan must indicate: ….the provision of pre-release and post-release assistance to the
inmate (for example, advice on the availability within the community of financial, accommodation and
employment assistance and of medical and counselling services and alcohol and other drug treatment
programs).
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The Transitional Support Framework meets planned outcomes of the Throughcare Strategic Framework
including:

Timely and effective exchange of information within CSNSW and with other criminal justice and
community welfare agencies.

Planning for specific transitional support for the period immediately after release from custody.

Co-operation and partnerships between government and non-government agencies to improve
post-release services in areas such as income support, housing, mental and other health services.
The transition resource document – Planning Your Release: NSW Exit Checklist - is designed to assist
inmates to prepare for their release and transition into the community.
Some elements of this preparation may need to commence as soon as the inmate enters custody, (e.g.
notifying Centrelink or Housing NSW of their changed circumstances).
The Planning Your Release NSW Exit Checklist (see below) is to be provided to all reception inmates whose
EPRD falls less than six months after reception, along with the Inmate Handbook and any other appropriate
induction material.
7.2.3. Initial Case Plan
Where an inmate is serving a sentence of six months or more, or is being assessed as being of
moderate- to high-risk of re-offending, definite goals are likely to include completion of accredited
behavioural programs or other intensive therapeutic intervention.
However, where an inmate is serving a sentence of less than six months, or is assessed as being of low
risk of re-offending, the primary goal becomes successful transition to the community, based on the Planning
Your Release NSW Exit Checklist. Completing and complying with the Exit Checklist will become the
principal guide for action in these inmate’s case plans.
7.2.4. Classification, Placement and Case Plan Reviews
Classification, placement and case plan reviews take place in accordance with legislation at least once in
every 12 month period.
To prepare for release, a high number of tasks need to take place at specific times according to release
dates. Participation in Transitional Centre programs, work release, applications to the Pre-Release Leave
Committee, reports to the Parole Authority as well as Centrelink, Housing NSW and other agencies are
linked to EPRDs. Further, inmates are released from all correctional centres, from all levels of classification.
To ensure that all inmates are adequately prepared for integration into the community, classification,
placement and case plan reviews are generally to be timed according to EPRDs rather than from
dates of reception.
This will enable better planning for participation in CSI’s Work Readiness Program, external programs such
as work release, align with current practices of the Probation and Parole Service and enable the timely
commencement of the Exit Checklist process (outlined below) that covers essential steps towards living in
the community.
Note – As an aid to staff in identifying inmates for transitional support, OIMS can be used to generate a list of
inmates in any one centre who are due for release within a specified timeframe. Managers, Offender
Services & Programs (Employment) are to generate and distribute these lists on a weekly basis to:

Assistant Superintendent(s)/SCO

Case Officers

Classification & Case Management Review Coordinators
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
Correctional Manager, Case Management, Classification & Placement (GEO)

Case Management Supervisor (GEO)

Offender Services and Programs staff

Parole Unit Manager

Manager Centre Services
The Case Plan Review for inmates prior to the EPRD should focus on the post-release needs of the original
case plan and major issues to be addressed such as debts, housing, family or community support.
This Review may need to include a motivational interview by Offender Services & Programs or Probation &
Parole staff that covers:

A review of post-release needs

Brief check of inmate’s major post-release needs, i.e. what has happened or not happened to
address any needs

Outline of transitional support services and programs available in the centre (see additional
resources below)

Planning Your Release: NSW Exit Checklist NSW is to be made available to the inmate.
7.2.5. Planning Your Release: NSW Exit Checklist
This booklet is in several parts:

A series of tick lists with brief instructions about tasks, timed to EPRD, i.e. tasks at six months,
three months, one month, last week, last day.

A Who to Call section

A resource list

A message from the Managers, Offender Services & Programs (Employment), with space for
names of key staff who can assist with particular areas.
State-wide use of the Exit Checklist book will ensure that all sentenced inmates will be better prepared for
release.
The Exit Checklist process is to commence at six months from an EPRD, prompted by a Classification,
Placement and Case Plan Review or, for inmates serving less than 6 months, by an interview on reception
into his/her gaol of placement.
For inmates with disabilities, the Planning Your Release booklet is generally not suitable for use by the
inmate for pre-release planning. Please refer to Chapter 24 Inmates with Disabilities for information
regarding pre-release planning.
7.2.6. Additional Resources for Transitional Support
Peer Support
Inmate Development Committees (IDCs) are a link between the correctional centre inmate population and
staff. The IDC is an elected body of inmates and an integral part of correctional centre management. The
committee’s existence affirms the department’s and local management’s commitment to support and
maintain the right of inmates to discuss and resolve with senior management issues and problems affecting
their imprisonment’ (CCOPM Section 7.20). Working with custodial and non-custodial staff, peer support can
be an effective means to motivate and maintain support for program participants.
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Weekly Exit Planning Team meetings may be held to provide regular and consistent guidance and support to
inmates in the last six months of sentence. Exit Planning Teams may consist of representatives of Offender
Services & Programs and custodial/case management staff, Probation & Parole, RAPO’s, AASO’s and the
IDC. Team roles are to provide assistance to individual inmates in completing tasks, preparing them for
participation in Expos (outlined below) and holding discussions related to attitudinal readiness for release,
using the Getting Out Handbook (outlined below). If the meetings take place in the library, the computerbased directory of support services (see below) could be made available during the Exit Planning Meetings.
7.2.7. Expos
As inmates are released from all classification levels and from all correctional centres it is essential that
provision is made for adequate preparation, according to each inmate’s case plan and individual needs. Prerelease expos are an efficient way to accomplish a high level of service from multiple agencies in a short
period.
Expos bring together representatives of government and non-government service providers that meet with
inmates who are within 3 – 6 months of their EPRDs. As well as providing information, the services such as
RTA, banks, TAFE NSW, Centrelink and Community Housing, process applications and give timely
assistance, preventing post-release problems due to lack of ID.
Data on releases from each correctional centre is available through Corporate Research, Evaluation and
Statistics.
High needs areas, such as housing, Centrelink and employment, require additional direct contact in between
expos.
Signing of the Centrelink Program Protocol Agreement in 2004 between that agency and the Department
has assisted in the efficient and timely provision of service as Centrelink staff are able, via laptop computers
to phone lines, to access their mainframe to process applications. This does not require internet access and
does not present a security risk. Other services such as Housing NSW are considering a similar move.
Getting Out Handbook
This handbook complements the Planning Your Release: NSW Exit Checklist and includes chapters on
health, returning to the family, how to deal with government agencies and coping with isolation and
depression. It is to be given to inmates during the last months of their sentences and taken with them into the
community.
Resources Directories
Better Service Delivery Program
A statewide Human Services Directory is available on the Human Services Network website. It includes
12,000 entries across ten participating government departments as well as diverse community organisations.
Government members include Corrective Services NSW, Health, DADAHC, Housing NSW, DoCS and
Police. As the department is a contributing member, staff can register as users. On the main menu, the
Service Link tab leads directly to the Service Directory. Follow the prompts to register. You will be sent a
password that will enable you to use the Service Link, save frequent contacts and searches.
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