The Sentencing Council listed a number of essential resources which would have to be devoted to such an initiative and continued:

“Each of these requirements has a potential cost impact which would need to be weighed against the savings arising from the closure of the periodic detention centres, from the allocation of staff to other duties, from the freeing up of the beds in the existing centres which might then become available for those subject to sentences involving full time incarceration, and from an expected longer term reduction in the rate of re-offending and return to prison. They are not requirements that can be reduced or honoured in passing. Existing experiences in relation to the resource limitations (especially outside the metropolitan areas), the experience with unsupervised sentences, and with sentences that do not match supervision with programs, emphasise how important this is.[1] “

“The probation and parole service plays an important role in supervising ex-prisoners who are released on parole in supervising their rehabilitation, assisting them to find a job, a home and treatment for any drug or alcohol problems,” Mr Smith said.

“Now the Keneally Labor Government wants these dedicated officers to work even harder, supervising prisoners serving Intensive Corrections Orders,” he said.

“In recent years the Department of Corrective Services has put fewer resources into probation and parole, leaving officers with excessive client lists and too little time to adequately supervise their clients.

“At present, various probation and parole offices in Sydney are understaffed, including Parramatta, Burwood and the city. The Liverpool office has virtually no staff. Various country offices are being closed down.

“Recently the Department of Corrective Services advertised to fill approximately 60 positions, but we understand recruitment has been put on hold. Commissioner Woodham has stated this will involve about 800 offenders.