NCJ Number
210727
Date Published
May 2005
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This follow-up report evaluates how the Western Australia Department of Justice (DOJ) has improved in its community-based supervision responsibilities since the May 2001 performance evaluation, entitled Implementing and Managing Community Based Sentences.
Abstract
In Western Australia, approximately 5,000 new community-based sentences (CBS) are issued each year, with about 4,000 in force at any one time. These CBSs are between 6 months and 2 years long and may involve three possible components: community service, treatment, and supervision. The current evaluation reviews the progress made by the DOJ in managing CBS since the May 2001 performance evaluation. Evaluation methodology included interviews with DOJ's Community Justice Services (CJS) and the Chief Magistrate, reviews of evidence files and data from published sources, reviews of case files, and observations of the Court of Petty Sessions. Overall, the evaluation findings indicated that the case management of offenders serving CBSs has improved, yet over 40 percent of offenders fail to complete their CBS orders and are re-sentenced. Evaluating the effectiveness of the CJS operations and outcomes was limited due to the fact that the new information and performance measuring systems are still under development, slated for completion at the end of 2005. Recommendations for improvements include the need to staff branches according to case workload and supervision ratios. Figures