Probation and bonds

Offenders on probation have been found guilty of an offence and have accepted the offer of the court to enter a bond.

The bond is the agreement between the court and the offender. It is an understanding that the terms of the bond are accepted and may include a condition to be under the supervision of the department for a determined period of time.

Bonds can be a:

  • Suspended Sentence Bond, or
  • Good Behaviour Bond.

Bonds offer an alternative to prison for suitable offenders.

They help keep an offender with their family, in work and in their home and enable the offender to access services and attend programs that address the issues that contributed to their offending.

Community Corrections Officers may supervise offenders on a bond.

They:

  • use the Enhanced Community Corrections model to reduce risk to the community
  • support the offender - encouraging compliance with conditions leading to successful completion of the Court Order
  • support the offender in addressing their offending behaviour through rehabilitation
  • encourage and assist the offender in creating and developing a supportive environment and pro-social networks.

Courts may include both community service and supervision as conditions of a good behaviour bond. Breaches of bonds may be formally prosecuted in court for an appropriate penalty to be determined, which may include a term of imprisonment.

The Department for Correctional Services manage the offender on the bond but do not grant probation or bonds.