A security classification system operates in the Tasmanian Prison Service.
Sentenced prisoners may be classified as Maximum, Medium or Minimum Security. Unsentenced prisoners are automatically classified as Maximum Security.
A prisoner's accommodation and level of privilege often depends on their classification level. A sentenced prisoner's classification level is determined by a classification panel, which includes staff from several areas within the Prison Service.
Some sentenced prisoners are eligible for parole - this means that they can appear before the Parole Board to request a release from custody to serve some of their sentence in the community.
Each prisoner's sentence is different - some will be allowed to apply for parole and some will not (it depends on the sentence issued by the court). Prisoners are contacted when they are eligible for parole.
For more information about parole, visit the Parole Board website.
Some sentenced prisoners may eligible for remission. Remission is the reduction in the length of a prisoner's sentence, up to a maximum of 3 months.
Decisions about remission must be made in accordance with legislation (i.e. Corrections Act 1997).
The Director of Prisons may grant remission to a prisoner as an incentive to, or reward for, good behaviour while the prisoner is in custody. A prisoner must be serving a total sentence of more than 3 months to be eligible for remission.
The amount of remission a prisoner may be eligible for will depend upon the length of the prisoner's single longest sentence.
If a prisoner escapes, or attempts to escape, from custody then remission cannot be granted on any part of the prisoner's sentence up to and including the day of the escape or attempted escape.
If a prisoner or detainee is found guilty of a prison offence then the prisoner may lose part or all of his/her remission.
The Director of Prisons may grant special remission to a prisoner in addition to ordinary remission however it is very rare for special remission to be granted. An application for special remission will only be considered if extenuating circumstances exist.
