MINISTER OPENS NEW PINE RIVERS PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICE
Published Thursday, 04 October, 2007 at 04:07 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence has welcomed in a new era for probation and parole in the Pine Rivers area.
Ms Spence today officially opened the new Pine Rivers Probation and Parole District Office, which will be used to supervise offenders serving probation, community service or parole orders.
“Staff in this office supervise 255 offenders from Narangba in the north to Albany Creek in the south, west to Mt Nebo and East to Mango Hill, on a variety of orders,” Ms Spence said.
“This new office is one of 34 Probation and Parole Offices now operating in Queensland, with 12,000 offenders currently under the supervision of these offices.
“The roll-out of new Probation and Parole offices is part of a the biggest revitalisation of Queensland’s probation and parole services in 15 years, which is delivering tougher supervision and surveillance of offenders serving community based orders.”
Ms Spence said the new Pine Rivers office is allowing officers to deliver high levels of offender supervision and surveillance and the provision of more intensive rehabilitation programs to high risk offenders in this area.
“This government has provided $440,000 for the development of this office,” Ms Spence said.
“The new facilities include a urinalysis room for testing offenders for use of illegal drugs, a secure reception counter, three interview rooms with separate staff and offender entrances, and a programs delivery room, also with separate staff and offender entrances.
“Enhancing the safety of staff has been a key priority, which is why the Pine Rivers office is secured with a security alarm system, proximity door readers, duress alarms and a CCTV surveillance system.”
Member for Kurwongbah, Linda Lavarch said the new office increases community confidence in the management of offenders in the local area.
“It’s great to see our probation and parole officers now have the best facilities available to allow them to supervise offenders,” Ms Lavarch said.
“The staff in this office work very hard to ensure offenders are not only well supervised, but are also provided with positive rehabilitation opportunities.
"In the past year, local offenders have completed more than 10,000 hours of community service work worth $150,000 in labour alone – this is of great value to our community.”
Ms Spence said projects have included working for RSPCA’s Pine Rivers Animal Welfare Shelter as well as Lifeline stores in Brendale and Strathpine. Offenders have also joined Pine Rivers Shire Council work gangs to help clean local streets and another group, of specially-vetted offenders, works in the kitchen and laundry of Hyland House Respite Centre.
“Involvement in these community based projects is not only providing essential services to the general public, but it also provides offenders with an opportunity to make reparation for their crimes and to feel a sense of fulfilment in the jobs they undertake,” Ms Spence said.
“This is a great example of how Queensland’s probation and parole service is helping to keep our communities safe through strict monitoring and quality programs for offenders.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287
Ms Spence today officially opened the new Pine Rivers Probation and Parole District Office, which will be used to supervise offenders serving probation, community service or parole orders.
“Staff in this office supervise 255 offenders from Narangba in the north to Albany Creek in the south, west to Mt Nebo and East to Mango Hill, on a variety of orders,” Ms Spence said.
“This new office is one of 34 Probation and Parole Offices now operating in Queensland, with 12,000 offenders currently under the supervision of these offices.
“The roll-out of new Probation and Parole offices is part of a the biggest revitalisation of Queensland’s probation and parole services in 15 years, which is delivering tougher supervision and surveillance of offenders serving community based orders.”
Ms Spence said the new Pine Rivers office is allowing officers to deliver high levels of offender supervision and surveillance and the provision of more intensive rehabilitation programs to high risk offenders in this area.
“This government has provided $440,000 for the development of this office,” Ms Spence said.
“The new facilities include a urinalysis room for testing offenders for use of illegal drugs, a secure reception counter, three interview rooms with separate staff and offender entrances, and a programs delivery room, also with separate staff and offender entrances.
“Enhancing the safety of staff has been a key priority, which is why the Pine Rivers office is secured with a security alarm system, proximity door readers, duress alarms and a CCTV surveillance system.”
Member for Kurwongbah, Linda Lavarch said the new office increases community confidence in the management of offenders in the local area.
“It’s great to see our probation and parole officers now have the best facilities available to allow them to supervise offenders,” Ms Lavarch said.
“The staff in this office work very hard to ensure offenders are not only well supervised, but are also provided with positive rehabilitation opportunities.
"In the past year, local offenders have completed more than 10,000 hours of community service work worth $150,000 in labour alone – this is of great value to our community.”
Ms Spence said projects have included working for RSPCA’s Pine Rivers Animal Welfare Shelter as well as Lifeline stores in Brendale and Strathpine. Offenders have also joined Pine Rivers Shire Council work gangs to help clean local streets and another group, of specially-vetted offenders, works in the kitchen and laundry of Hyland House Respite Centre.
“Involvement in these community based projects is not only providing essential services to the general public, but it also provides offenders with an opportunity to make reparation for their crimes and to feel a sense of fulfilment in the jobs they undertake,” Ms Spence said.
“This is a great example of how Queensland’s probation and parole service is helping to keep our communities safe through strict monitoring and quality programs for offenders.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287