Parole supervision
The conditions of a Parole Order are made by the Parole Board, and may only be altered by the Board.
A Parole Order requires that a parolee must:
- report to Community Corrections on release
- submit to the supervision of a Probation Officer
- reside only at a place approved by a Probation Officer
- not change their address without prior approval of a Probation Officer
- engage only in employment approved by a Probation Officer
- not change employment without prior approval
- be of good behaviour and not commit further offences
- refrain from the excessive consumption (or any consumption) of alcohol
- obey directions from a Probation Officer relating to associates
- obey all reasonable directions of a Probation Officer, including requirements to attend counselling for gambling, and substance abuse issues
- not leave the State of Tasmania without the prior written approval of the Director, Community Corrections
- not use, possess, or administer any illicit substance
- not be in the presence of a person who is using or administering an illicit substance
- present for urinalysis and/or breath testing as and when required
More specific conditions can also be added to an order, such as:
- curfew hours
- prohibiting or restricting the contact a parolee may have with a person or designated group of persons (i.e. registered victims, children under the age of 16 in the case of sex offenders)
- barring entry into licensed premises or premises with gambling
- prohibiting the parolee from being present or absent from designated areas of the State
Upon release, the Probation Officer ensures that the parolee understands the conditions of the Parole Order and the possible consequences of not following those conditions. It is the responsibility of a Probation Officer to supervise and case manage the parolee according to the conditions of their order.
Case Management Plan
As part of parole supervision, the Probation Officer develops a Case Management Plan with the parolee. This includes setting goals for the parolee to help them stay out of trouble.
These goals may include referrals to organisations for specialist counselling and assistance with substance abuse, mental health problems and anger management. They also involve talking with their Probation Officer about what led to their offending and other problem areas in their life.
The Case Management Plan and assessment of the risk of re-offending are reviewed throughout the parole period to see if:
- goals are being met
- if new goals need to be established
- how often the parolee will have contact with a Probation Officer
The Probation Officer will monitor the parolee's progress by contacting family members, employers, referral agencies and other sources of information.