14 May 2007
Corrections plays key role in accelerating domestic violence sentencing

The Corrections Department has had a key role in speeding up the pre-sentence report process for domestic violence offenders – a move widely welcomed by the judiciary and those working with families affected by violence.

Until last month, Probation Officers were in most cases required to undertake an indepth assessment then prepare a Pre-sentence Report that could result in offenders being remanded for up to four weeks.

However, by working closely with the judiciary and Courts, Corrections has developed a system that now allows Probation Officers to write a pre-sentence report that can be issued to judges on the day an offender is convicted.
General Manager Probation & Offender Services Katrina Casey says enabling judges to sentence offenders the day they are convicted brings about prompt resolution for the Courts, the Community Probation Service and importantly, the offender’s family.

Ms Casey says same day reports apply to offenders convicted of domestic violence offences, who do not have a significant history of domestic violence or other offending, and are not considered to be at high risk of re-offending.
Wellington District Court Judge John Walker has welcomed the move to speed up domestic violence sentencing saying it’s a good example of what can be achieved with this type of approach.

“This is the result of a national review of Pre-sentence Reports launched in early-2006 to look at how Corrections could best meet the needs of the Judiciary,” Judge Walker said.

“The review considered a Justice-wide focus to address domestic violence issues and the fact Judges had expressed the need to speed up domestic violence sentencing in the interests of the prompt intervention necessary for the protection of victims from further violence.”

“The move for Probation Officers to write same day reports fits well with the direction of recently established Family Violence Courts in Manukau, Waitakere, Porirua, Auckland, Lower Hutt and Masterton.”

ENDS