Not enough rehabilitation-prospects: study

The study by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research compared the two types of good-behaviour bonds offenders are placed on when they are released from jail.

The first is a supervised one, where offenders have to report to their parole officer regularly and prove they are staying out of trouble. The second is an unsupervised bond.

The bureau's Dr Don Weatherburn says his study tracked more than 4,000 offenders under supervision and compared them to offenders on unsupervised bonds in the six years after their release. He says the type of bond makes no difference.

"Putting people under supervision doesn't reduce the risk of reoffending," he said. "They're just as likely to reoffend if there's no supervision involved."

Dr Weatherburn surveyed parole officers to find out why and they blamed a lack of rehabilitation services for alcoholics and drug addicts, as well as insufficient mental health facilities.

"Not enough is being done to deal with the factors that get people involved in crime in the first place," he said.

"There's not enough drug and alcohol treatment, not enough success in getting accommodation or dealing with the employment problems that these offenders have in the community".

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