Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre

Australia’s first Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre at Parklea, New South Wales was officially opened by the New South Wales Minister for Justice on 23 August 2006.

This program is targeting up to 100 repeat male offenders with long term illicit drug dependency and an associated life of crime and constant imprisonment. The aim is to help these offenders take personal responsibility to lead productive crime-free and drug-free lives.

The program is linked to the Drug Court at Parramatta, New South Wales. Offenders ordered by the Drug Court to serve their sentence in compulsory drug treatment detention will receive a comprehensive program of drug treatment and rehabilitation for 18 months to three years, depending on their individual sentences.

The Centre is a specially modified separate facility near the Parklea Correctional Centre, Parklea, Sydney. Participants in the Compulsory Drug Treatment Program are being accommodated separately from the mainstream inmate population so they can focus on their drug treatment.

Treatment is primarily abstinence-based. The program is in three stages: Stage 1 closed detention, Stage 2 semi-open detention and Stage 3 community custody. Participants will undergo an initial period of stabilisation at the Centre before they commence their therapeutic program to address drug use and other offending behaviour. They will be gradually reintegrated back into the community with active linkages to education and employment, income support, health care, housing and other services. They will also be offered post-program support including mentoring assistance for up to 12 months.

The legal basis for this program is set down in the Drug Court Act 1998 (NSW), Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) and the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 (NSW). The relevant legislation and associated regulations were proclaimed to commence on 21 July 2006.

Consistent with the New South Wales Government’s evidence-based approach to drug policy, the program is being evaluated by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. A report to Parliament on the first four years’ operation of the program is required under the legislation and its application to female offenders will be considered in two years.