An Audit of parolees and electronic monitoring has madeeight recommendations for improvements.
On 5th June 2019, the Chief Minister requested anaudit of offenders on parole and community based offenders subject toelectronic monitoring.
The Audit of 256 files found there were no serious issuesin the management of people on parole or who are subject to electronicmonitoring.
While there were no serious issues identifiedthe audit makes eight recommendations to:
Ensure drug and alcohol testing and electronic monitoringresources are focused on monitoring the compliance of higher risk offenders.
Ensure administrative tasks are completed.
Streamline recruitment processes for Probation and ParoleOfficers.
Increase Community Corrections capacity to conduct drugand alcohol tests and audits.
As noted by Corrections Commissioner ScottMcNairn:
"The Audit found themajority of parolees and offenders on electronic monitoring have individualcase plans in place. All supervised offenders are subject to a standardised,high intensity monitoring and compliance regime until their individual plan iscompleted.
"It also found themajority of parolees and offenders on electronic monitoring, who are subject toalcohol and/or drug restrictions, have been subject to random testing in linewith policy requirements.
"In cases where thepolicy requirements have not been met, this reflected a short period wheretesting has not been sufficiently frequent rather than the absence of testing.
"The random nature ofdrug and alcohol testing was also highlighted as an issue in some cases due tothe unannounced nature of the testing."
As noted by Attorney-General Natasha Fyles:
"The Territory Labor Government ordered this audit to ensureeverything is being done to keep Territorians safe. Community safety isparamount.
"The audit found no serious concerns, but did highlightareas for improvement.
"I have directed the Department of Attorney-General and Justiceto immediately increase the frequency of drug and alcohol testing for offenders,particularly high risk.
"We have accepted the Audit and will now work through theremaining findings and recommendations in detail."
