NCJ Number
244682
Date Published
October 2011
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This report presents an overview on the operations of the Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre in New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
This report from the office of the New South Wales (NSW) Ombudsman presents an overview of the operations of the Kariong Juvenile Correctional Centre. The center is a small, 48-bed, facility that houses some of the most challenging and troubled adolescent boys and young men in the NSW criminal justice system. This report presents the results of ongoing efforts to improve management of the facility and improve outcomes for the young offenders housed at the center. These efforts include an investigation and monitoring of the facilities Behavior Management Program. The investigation specifically looked at the adequacy, application, and effectiveness of policies and procedures relevant to implementation of the program. An audit of inmate records and interviews with custodial and OS&P (Offender Services and Programs) staff found three areas of concern regarding the Behavior Management Program: compliance with the requirements of the Program; adequacy and extent of programs and activities; and adequacy of oversight of the Program. These concerns are discussed in detail in this report. The results of the investigation and audit indicate that changes need to be made in the following key areas: evaluation of the effectiveness of the current Behavior Management Program in achieving its stated objectives; clarification of the objectives of any management program at Kariong; inmate management procedures for Kariong that take into account the needs of its particular inmate population - adolescent boys and young men aged between 16 and 21 years old. Appendixes