Queensland Shadow Minister for Corrective Services Jarrod Bleijie

40% Of Queensland Criminals Do Not Complete Their Community Service

Victor P Taffa

More than 40 % of Queensland criminals are failing to complete community service orders, the State Opposition said today.

Shadow Minister for Corrective Services Jarrod Bleijie responded to the first Queensland Corrective Services’ Quarterly Regional Report said it was unacceptable almost half of all Queensland offenders were not fulfilling the punishment handed down to them by the Queensland Courts.

“Community service is a valuable sentencing option if managed properly, but like so many aspects of this long term Labor Government’s criminal justice system, is failing miserably.” Mr. Bleijie said.

The latest figures released by Corrective Services’ Judicial Liaison Unit indicate as at December 31 2010, 40.58 % of offenders failed to complete their orders.

“1,923 offenders were under community service orders as at December 31 2010, which raises serious questions when this is less than 10 % of offenders being managed by Corrective Services.” Mr. Bleijie said.

The average number of community service hours completed per offender varied greatly from region to region. 

For example, 29 hours was the quota for criminals in the Northern Region (which extends along the coast from the Hinchinbrook Shire, South to Bowen and west to the Northern Territory border), compared to 44 hours carried out by lawbreakers in Metro South (bounded by the Brisbane River (north), North Stradbroke Island (east) Carole Park (west) and Drewvale (south).

“The Liberal National Party is committed to overhauling Queensland’s corrections system, including community service orders, to ensure a safer society and the best outcomes for everyone’s communities.” Mr. Bleijie said.