6 January 2011

Simon Corbell says Periodic Detention addresses criminogenic thinking

| johnboy
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The ACT’s Attorney-General Simon Corbell is belting out some hosannas and hallelujahs for the periodic detention scheme:

“Periodic detention has been successful in the ACT because of the relatively compact nature of the Territory, meaning people can regularly attend periodic detention with short travel times. In contrast, other states and territories have found periodic detention impractical because of the long period of travel time involved to attend a periodic detention centre in another part of the state.”

Periodic detention in the ACT has also been successful because of the range of programs detainees have been provided with when they are in detention.

“Unlike many periodic detention centres in other states, the SCC has offered four important programs to detainees, Cognitive Self Change program, Family Violence Self Change program, an Alcohol and Drug program and a Sober Driver program. These programs are valuable for detainees in addressing their criminogenic thinking and changing habits which have seen them convicted of offences.

“Having these programs in the periodic detention environment means there are effective opportunities for offenders to take up these programs while on detention and change their behaviours,” Mr Corbell said.

Periodic detention is also a valuable resource for not-for-profit organisations and the wider community through its work crew programs.

The question now is what has prompted this self-congratulation and affirmation?

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I assume that all the people on periodic detention this year missed out on both Christmas and New Years this year as they are weekends, yes?

Thanks, Ozi. I had no idea there was a separate facility.

Can we rent it out to backpackers through the week?

Pommy bastard1:34 pm 06 Jan 11

“Simon Corbell says Periodic Detention addresses criminogenic thinking.”

It’s done nothing to address his (lack of) thinking.

Harley, the AMC doesn’t do periodic detention. The inventively-named Periodic Detention Centre in Symonston does: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_Detention_Centre_(Symonston)

The best part of periodic detention is that if you call up on Friday night and say you have a doctor’s certificate, you don’t have to go. A large number of “inmates” will attend less than half their court-scheduled weekend jaunts due to their pet doctors writing certificates for them.

I have also seen first hand how casual the whole affair is. They spend most of the Friday night whinging to corrections staff about how they don’t want to work in the kitchen/do some other chore for a particular weekend, and “I had to share a room with prisoner X the last time, and he snores, so can you let me share with my mate prisoner Y?” (All said in a wheedling druggie tone.)

The strong arm of justice at work in your community.

I think it’s nice that we’re able to imprison people without inconveniencing them too much.

Can’t wait to see that in the Allhomes ads for some of Canberra’s less salubrious suburbs: “Only 10 mins from periodic detention!”

Criminogenic? Is that what disadvantaged bogans in tuggers say?

“Oh Kahydeihn, you are looking very criminogenic today”

“Get f*%^#d C^&t”

Does the drug supply at AMC peak on Fridays Arvo/Saturday AM?

Re your question, I believe I read in yesterday’s Crimes that the ACT was the last jurisdiction in Australia to have periodic detention.

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