Community corrections comprise of a variety of non-custodial programs. They vary in the extent and nature of supervision, the conditions of the order, and the restrictions on a person's freedom of movement in the community. They generally provide either a non-custodial sentencing alternative or a post-custodial mechanism for reintegrating prisoners into the community under continued supervision. The rate of community corrections in Australia is more than twice as high as the rate of imprisonment, and has been declining in recent years. In the five years to 30 June 2004, the Australia-wide rate of community custody has undergone a steady decrease, from 402.2 per 100,000 adults in 1999-2000, to 331.6 per 100,000 in 2003-04. Conversely, the rate of imprisonment has increased slightly, from 143.4 to 150.2 prisoners per 100,000 adults, in the same period. The population figures used to calculate rates are persons aged 17 or over for Victoria and Queensland, and persons aged 18 or over in the other jurisdictions, reflecting the age at which persons are remanded or sentenced to adult custody.
Community corrections and imprisonment, rates per 100,000 adult population [see attached PDF for graph]
Source
- Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision, 2005. Report on government services 2005. Canberra: Productivity Commission.