IMPROVING JUSTICE OUTCOMES
Investing in alternatives to prison
Sydney Institute of Criminology
3 November 2010
Peter Achterstraat
Auditor-General of NSW
Making the people of NSW proud of the work we do
Audit Office of NSW
Keeping people
out of prison
Three key points
• keeping people out of prison
makes financial sense
• our audits help keep people out of
prison
• our data informs the debate about
prisons
Focus
At the sharp end of public
services
Role of Auditors-General
We hold government accountable
Our work
• Financial audit
– accounts
– awareness
• Performance audit
– economy
– efficiency
– effectiveness
Financial audit reports
• imprisonment rates
• inmate costs
• reoffending rates
Financial audit reports
Department of Juvenile Justice
Year ended 30 June
total numbers
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Youth justice conferences
1,232
1,112
1,185
1,199
1,441
Remanded in custody
3,444
3,623
4,263
5,081
4,634
412
468
514
623
711
On control orders
Percentage of young people who are indigenous:
Youth justice conferences (%)
28.6
27.0
27.2
26.0
20.5
Remanded in custody (%)
37.8
37.3
37.8
38.8
35.8
On control orders (%)
47.4
47.5
54.7
56.3
48.5
Financial audit reports
Corrective Services NSW
Prisoner costs
Year ended 30 June
Cost per offender per day
2007
2008
NSW $ National $ NSW $ National $
Open prisons (including
periodic detention)
186.6
178.4
187.7
189.2
Secure prisons
All prisons
Community corrections
201.7
195.8
11.6
191.1
187.1
12.5
225.3
210.5
12.4
214.3
206.8
13.1
Source: Productivity Commission Report on Government Services 2008 and 2009 unedited.
Performance audit reports
•
•
•
•
data
trends
comparisons
recommendations
We have audited
Diversion
Sentencing
options
Prevention
Rehabilitation
Offender
outcomes
Our audits
Homelessness
Home
detention
Alcohol
related crime
Offender
outcomes
Rehabilitating
prisoners
& MERIT
Prevention
Alcohol related crime (2008)
• assaults
• enforcement
• prevention
Prevention
Fines issued
Offence
Fail to quit premises
Supply alcohol to
intoxicated patron
Permit intoxication on
premises
04-05 05-06 06-07
764
14
806
12
940
16
2
2
23
Prevention
Police licensing resources
Police
Command
Licensed No. of ARA ARA as % Licensing Licensing
premises 2006-07 of assaults sergeants constables
Manly
107
241
62%
1
-
Rocks
400
265
55%
1
3
Newcastle
195
674
43%
1
3
Tweed
261
442
38%
-
1
14,227
20,475
27%
na
na
NSW
Note: ARA – alcohol related assaults
Diversion
Homelessness (2007)
•
•
•
•
•
poor mental health
addiction issues
outstanding warrants
no phone
no mail
Diversion
• minor offences
• unseen
• unheard
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitating prisoners (2006)
• 50% return
• not enough programs
• little help after release
Rehabilitation
Demand far exceeds places
• sex offenders
900:10
• violent offences 4,500:43
• drug problems
6,750:96
Rehabilitation
Case studies
1. John a violent offender
2. Jack an untreated sex
offender
Case study – Magistrates Early
Referral Into Treatment
Helping Aboriginal defendants
through MERIT (2009)
Put the program
where the
problem is
Case study MERIT
• many doing it tough
• overrepresented
• drugs and crime
MERIT
For Aboriginal defendants MERIT is
• good and appropriate
• less likely to be used
• not in all courts
MERIT
Estimated $3 saved for
every $1 invested
Source: Northern Rivers University, Evaluation of Lismore MERIT Pilot
Program 2003)
MERIT
To improve participation
• more courts
• treat alcohol problems
• tailor the program
Case study – Home Detention
Home detention in NSW (2010)
Its tough, its costs less
and it works
Its tough
Major reasons for revocations in 2008-09
Others, 22%
Leaving
residence
without
approval, 12%
Committing a
new offence,
13%
Source: Corrective Services NSW.
Not adhering to
activity plan
during approved
absences from
home, 19%
Consuming
alcohol, 18%
Using prohibited
drugs, 16%
It costs less and it works
Completion of home detention or equivalent
orders 2008-09
New Victoria
South
Northern
New
South
Australia Territory Zealand
Wales
% completed
80%
98%
75%
92%
Average no. of
offenders
175
32
423
31
United
Kingdom
(200708)
Not
82%
known
1,449
Source: Productivity Commission Report on Government Services 2010 and Audit Office research.
11,316
Home detention
•
•
•
•
less now than 10 years ago
supervision is improving
cheaper
most don’t reoffend
Home detention
• extend the program
• promote its use
• rigorous and consistent
Dubbo Court House taken by Michael
Gardner, November 2007
Grafton Court House – taken by
Pip Wilson, October 2005
Bathurst Court House
Upcoming audits
Still to come:
• Cannabis cautioning
• Juvenile Justice Centres
• Domestic violence
Source: DJJ film library
IN CONCLUSION