In the September quarter 2003, there were 950 persons in community-based corrections, an increase of 9.1% on the September quarter 2002. It is a substantial decrease from the September 1999 figure of 1,258 persons.
RISK/ASSESSMENT MODEL
The first factor that has contributed to a decrease in people in community-based corrections over this period was the introduction of the risk/assessment model in 1998, which focuses attention almost solely on high and medium risk offenders rather than all offenders.
YOUTH JUSTICE ACT 1997
The second factor impacting upon Community Corrections numbers is the Youth Justice Act, which changed the maximum youth age up to 18 years. Some young offenders who were or would have been subject to adult corrections, are now in Juvenile Justice numbers.
However, there are strategies being discussed for dual case management or transfer of the more difficult youths who have already been exposed to adult corrections and are not receptive to measures for managing young offenders.
PERSONS IN COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS, Tasmania(a)(b)