Eighteen new jobs have been created at the Mid North Coast, Grafton, Glen Innes and Tamworth correctional centres as part of a Corrective Services NSW plan to reduce reoffending.
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Inmates with a risk of reoffending are being targeted under the new case management model, which includes tailor-made plans for offenders while they are in custody, as well as support for their release.
CSNSW Commissioner Peter Severin said the new Custodial Case Management Units would employ about 150 experienced staff across NSW, tailoring high-quality case plans to specific needs of individual offenders.
"We are committed to driving down the rate of reoffending and these newly created positions form part of a clear plan to address that,” Mr Severin said.
“The improved model provides a more consistent approach to case managing offenders throughout their contact with the correctional system, particularly in cases where they cycle between community supervision and custody.
“Most importantly, every contact with an offender will be focused on reducing their reoffending risk.”
Case management units are being rolled out to all correctional centres across the State, as part of a $330 million NSW Government strategy to reduce the rate of reoffending.
Almost 20,000 inmates are expected to benefit from the new case management approach over the next three years, which will support a reduction in the state’s reoffending rate.
Mid North Coast Correctional Centre’s functional manager Darren Rudd has been with CSNSW for 30 years and said he saw the new model as “having the greatest chance of reducing reoffending in NSW”.
“It is a positive for CSNSW as it allows the inmates to take ownership of their case plans and work towards achieving goals in custody, to give them the best chance of not reoffending,” Mr Rudd said.
Senior case management officer Justin McKinnon, also from the Mid North Coast, agrees.
“It’s a great opportunity to work collaboratively with the individual and different divisions within CSNSW,” Mr McKinnon said.
“Additionally the team is also working toward developing long-term plans and creating lines of communication with external providers to support offenders when they are released into the community.”
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