New Townsville Probation and Parole Office opens

The new Townsville Probation and Parole District Office was officially opened today (29 May 2018) to safely integrate offenders into the community.

The $1.45 million office building, at 303 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale, is the base for 45 full-time equivalent staff who supervise offenders residing in Townsville, Magnetic Island and surrounding areas including Giru, Palm Island, Home Hill, Ayr Brandon, Charters Towers, Hughenden and Ingham.

Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said the Palaszczuk Government and the departmental team at Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) are committed to supporting staff in their endeavours by continually improving staff safety and building capability in service delivery. 

“Probation and Parole staff provide an essential service to the local community, ensuring public safety while reintegrating offenders,” Mr Ryan said.

“They are the professional face of community custody, committed to reconnecting offenders with their community and preventing circumstances which might lead offenders back into prison.

“That’s why this building has been purpose-built to enable best-practice service delivery for the region.”

The Northern Regional Office for Probation and Parole, the High Risk Offender Management Unit (HROMU) and the Information Technology Unit are also accommodated in the building.

Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke said QCS staff in the building went above and beyond to ensure community safety and to reintegrate offenders back into their communities.

“This District Office has access to about 45 community service sites in Townsville and surrounding regions,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“From 1 July 2017 until 31 March 2018,10,369 hours of community service was completed by the District Office valued at $261,609 ($25.23 per hour) to the community.

“We are fortunate to have a number of service providers in the region that assist with offender rehabilitation, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Salvation Army, Lifeline, Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services, Uncle Alfred’s Men’s Group and many more.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said he was delighted to be a part of celebrating the opening of the Townsville Probation and Parole District Office.

“The community thanks the staff at this new facility for their role in ensuring public safety by working hard to reintegrate offenders back into the community.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the new Townsville Probation and Parole District Office was important in bringing teams together to work with offenders.

“The new facility will have a positive effect by helping strengthen the connection between offenders and the community while ensuring safety remains a top priority.”

Mr Ryan also thanked the community, who he said was vital in the rehabilitation and re-integration of offenders, and in providing opportunities for offenders to give back to their community.

ENDS

Media contact: Phil Willmington 0411535180