Supervision is considered a rehabilitative sentence. A sentence of supervision may be imposed only if the court is satisfied that the sentence would reduce the likelihood of further offending by the offender through the rehabilitation and reintegration of the offender.
The length of a supervision sentence must be between six and twelve months, and a limited range of special conditions can be imposed.
Legislative references: Sections 45 and 46 Sentencing Act 2002.
Supervision can be imposed jointly with:
These combinations enable the courts to impose sentences that require the offender to make reparation and/or be punished, as well as providing for them to address some rehabilitative needs.
Supervision is targeted at offenders who require only one or two community-based programmes/services and limited oversight by the probation officer. On average, probation officers will spend approximately 18 hours managing a sentence of supervision.
International evidence indicates that high levels of intervention with offenders at low risk of re-offending can increase their risk of re-offending (the contamination effect). The supervision sentence has therefore been designed to minimise the contact between the offender and the Department of Corrections, beyond that required to ensure that the offender complies with the conditions of their sentence.
If the offender has complex or multiple needs and/or requires more intensive oversight by a probation officer, consider a recommendation for intensive supervision.
Transitional Note: It is anticipated that all supervision offenders previously managed on a compliance regime, and approximately half of those previously managed on a DP1 regime, will be sentenced to supervision under the new sentencing regime.
Note: It is estimated that, on average, supervision sentences will be for approximately nine months.
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