Professional Standards in Noncustodial Corrections (From Current Australian Trends in Corrections, P 177-181, 1988, David Biles, ed. -- See NCJ-119105)

• NCJ Number: 119128
• Author(s): D Richards
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Federation Press (Distributed by Gaunt)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

Establishing and maintaining high professional standards for community-based corrections in Australia is a crucial area needing attention in the 1980's and is already taking place based on a set of standards adopted by the Australian Conference of Ministers in May 1987.

Abstract

These standards are important because of the pressure for increasing imprisonment and the resulting need for confidence in community-based programs, the need for clarity about organizational goals, the need to protect offenders' rights, and the need for accountability of the agencies and their staff. The set of standards for community-based corrections was drafted by Granton Hay, a senior officer with the Office of Corrections in Victoria, and edited by Professor Richard Harding. The standards are organized by functional areas like supervision, community service work and court advice. They specify that the main responsibility of community-based corrections officers is to the court or parole board whose orders they must enforce. The standards also specify the importance of meeting the community's expectations of reparation, deterrence, and protection. One section also deals with the provision of advice to courts, while another section focuses on community service orders. 5 references.