Rehabilitating offenders in the community
Part of the Sentences for adult offenders topic
Understand what rehabilitation opportunities are available to offenders who are in the community in Queensland.
On this page
In short
People on community-based orders may be required to attend programs or services to address behaviours that led to their offending.
These programs aim to help rehabilitate people and break the cycle of reoffending and successfully complete their orders.
What you should know
Not every offender in the community will be required to attend rehabilitation programs. Probation and parole officers will guide offenders on what’s required of them.
If you’re directed to attend a program, service or counselling as a condition of your order, you must comply.
Failing or refusing to attend may result in a breach of your order.
Community-based orders
Community-based orders are designed to help offenders reintegrate into the community while addressing behaviours that contributed to their offending. These orders include:
- parole
- intensive corrections order
- probation.
As part of an order, offenders may be required to attend a program, service, or counselling.
Probation and parole officers will assess each situation and determine whether participation in a program is necessary.
Offending behaviour programs
Offending behaviour programs are designed to help rehabilitate offenders by looking at specific behaviours that led to their offences. These programs aim to reduce the risk of reoffending and support offenders to live a crime-free life.
- Purpose: The programs focus on specific behaviours, such as violence, sexual offending or substance abuse.
- Delivery: Programs are delivered by trained program delivery officers and are typically group-based. They may be run by the Queensland Government or accredited external providers to ensure quality.
- Intensity: The level of intensity varies depending on the type of program and the behaviour it addresses.
Each probation and parole region manages its own waiting list for offending behaviour programs.
Maintenance programs
If you’ve already completed a program while in jail, you may still be required to attend a maintenance program in the community. Maintenance programs help you reinforce and practise the skills you’ve already learned.
Other support services for offenders
In addition to offending behaviour programs, you may be required to attend other services or programs to address the underlying causes of your offending, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Your probation and parole officer will direct you to attend these services if necessary.