New probation and parole office for Southport opens

The new $1.5 million purpose-built Probation and Parole office at Southport was officially opened today by Minister for Corrective Services Mark Ryan.

Minister Ryan said the new building will ensure offenders on probation or parole in the northern Gold Coast will be given the best possible chance at rehabilitation.

“The Palaszczuk Government made a commitment that we will continue to drive towards enhanced community safety through investment in our frontline services including probation and parole,” Minister Ryan said.

“The new Southport Probation and Parole facility has been designed to ensure the infrastructure not only supports the case management of offenders but allows for external providers to deliver services to offenders, all collectively working together to help offenders break the cycle of crime. 

“We have 39 hard-working and dedicated probation and parole staff currently located at Southport and I thank them for the outstanding work that they do in keeping their communities safe.

“The Palaszczuk Government committed an extra $265 million over six years as well as an additional 329 staff to Queensland Corrective Services and an additional 18 staff to Queensland Health for rehabilitation, drug, alcohol and mental health services to help achieve community safety and support our current probation and parole services.

“The reality is that most individuals who commit a crime at some point will be released back into our communities, and it is our job to reduce the risk of these people from reoffending.”

The new office covers Upper Coomera in the north, west to Tamborine Mountain and Numinbah Valley, south to Hooker Boulevard and east to the Pacific shoreline.

Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Mark Rallings said the South Coast Region supervises around 3980 offenders across this vast area, with more than 1300 of those reporting for supervision to the Southport office.

“Our Probation and Parole officers do an outstanding job working with offenders to reduce their risk to the community,” Commissioner Rallings said.

ENDS

Media contact: Cathie Thompson 0413 372 387