Procedure - Community Engagement Processes

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Purpose
1.	Process
2.	Formation of committee
3.	Role of Committees
4.	Role of the General Manager/Manager
4.1	Frequency of meetings
4.2	Record keeping
4.3	Composition of a committee
4.4	Membership

Purpose

To provide a framework for the establishment and operation of Secure Custody Coordination Committees and Community Advisory Committees.

1. Process

A secure correctional facility may establish a Secure Custody Coordination Committee. A low security correctional facility, Work camp or Probation and Parole district office may establish a Community Advisory Committee.

Committee membership is honorary and members participate on a voluntary basis.

2. Formation of committee

The committees must be established based on existing council boundaries. Low security correctional facilities, Work camps and Probation and Parole district offices must share a committee if they exist within the same council boundaries. Secure correctional facilities must establish separate committees due to the difference in focus for these centres and the different role of the committee.

3. Role of Committees

The Secure Custody Coordination Committee's role is to -

1. provide information and advice with respect to local community views and concerns;
2. promote effective and open communication between communities and corrective services facilities;
3. assist in developing opportunities for offenders in their rehabilitation and reparation, and to facilitate the reintegration of offenders into the community; and
4. nominate projects to be undertaken by the facility's prison industries. Refer procedure - Prison Industries' Operation.

The Community Advisory Committee's role is to -

1. identify, assess and guide the management of community service projects for Base Work Camps, Work Camps and Probation and Parole offices. Refer procedure - Community Service Projects.
2. provide information and advice with respect to local community views and concerns;
3. promote effective and open communication between communities and corrective services facilities; and
4. assist in developing opportunities for offenders in their rehabilitation and reparation, and to facilitate the reintegration of offenders into the community.

These Committees must not -

1. be a decision making authority but rather may offer opinions on behalf of the community they represent; and
2. raise or discuss individual offender needs or complaints.

4. Role of the General Manager/Manager

If a Secure Custody Coordination Committee or a Community Advisory Committee is formed, the General Manager or manager in charge of the location must ensure the following minimum requirements -

4.1 Frequency of meetings

Meetings should occur on a regular basis and at least once every quarter. The exact frequency of the meetings should be determined by the needs and requirements of the facility or office and the community.

4.2 Record keeping

A written record of each meeting must be made and kept by the facility or office. For Community Advisory Committees, details must include-

1. all new applications for community service projects; and
2. current project progress must be recorded.

4.3 Composition of a committee

The committee should represent the activities and interests of the local community in which the facility or office is located. Membership should aim to ensure the representation of-

1. minorities;
2. special needs; and
3. cultures and languages.

Committees will consist of representatives from a variety of sections of the community, deemed as either essential or optional members to ensure relevant local stakeholder interests can be addressed. Refer appendices - Community Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference - Low Security Correctional Facilities and Work Camps, Community Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference - Probation and Parole and Secure Custody Coordination Committee - Terms of Reference for the recommended membership compositions for secure centres, low security centres/work camps and probation and parole offices.

In the case of a Community Advisory Committee, it is ideal that the chair of the committee be a council representative.

4.4 Membership

Members will be invited on to a committee and approved by the manager. Members may be replaced at any time, at the discretion of the manager, taking into account issues such as regularity of attendance and the needs of Queensland Corrective Services in that area. It is suggested that memberships change around the time of council elections. Members are subject to a security clearance (refer procedure - Relevant Persons).

KELVIN ANDERSON
Director-General

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