Corrections Victoria

Full description

Corrections Victoria (CV) is a business unit responsible for the administering Victoria's adult corrections system, including prisons and other correctional services.

CV was established on 1 July 2003, when the Office of Correctional Services Commissioner (VA 4276) and CORE—the Public Correctional Enterprise (VA 4367) were amalgamated into one business unit within the Department of Justice (VA 3085).

CV is responsible for operating Victorian public prisons and transition centres as well as overseeing the administration of privately operated prisons in Victoria and the state's post-sentence scheme. The unit comprises the following divisions:

Sentence Management Division
The Sentence Management Division assesses people coming into prison and determines where they will be placed. Regular assessment occurs throughout the prisoner's sentence. The division is also responsible for managing court appearances, interstate and international transfers, and operating the Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility.

Custodial Operations Division
The Custodial Operations Division manages public prisons and the Judy Lazarus Transition Centre. It also oversees Victoria’s private prisons. Its responsibilities include setting and monitoring standards; reviewing incidents, issues and trends in prisons; overseeing private prisons contract management; providing commercial oversight and advisory services; and managing and maintaining prison infrastructure.

Offender Services
Offender Services is responsible for rehabilitation, transition and reintegration supports and programs, including prison industries, education, training and employment. This includes managing the post-sentence scheme and operating residential facilities. It is also responsible for Forensic Intervention Services, which delivers cognitive behavioural programs addressing violent, sexual, alcohol and other drug-related issues.

Security and Intelligence Division 
The Security and Intelligence Division is responsible for:

• gathering and analysing intelligence
• emergency incident response
• providing advice on prison security infrastructure, processes and technology
• electronically monitoring offenders on parole orders, community corrections orders and subject to post-sentence supervision orders
• delivering emergency management training across the correctional system.

Workforce and Aboriginal Outcomes
Workforce and Aboriginal Outcomes is responsible for implementing cultural reform initiatives focused on upskilling prisoners; managing and supporting services and programs for Aboriginal men and women in custody; delivering strategies to recruit and retain Aboriginal staff; and improve cultural support. The division also supports the Aboriginal Justice Forum, including ongoing engagement with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus.

The division includes Naalamba Ganbu and Nerrlinggu Yilam (The Yilam), which is responsible for upholding the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody by ensuring access to cultural programs and services, embedding culturally responsive practices within Corrections Victoria, and prioritising self-determination across corrections policy, programs and engagement.