What is a Community Corrections Order?
- by heritagehimalaya
- Posted on October 6, 2023
A community corrections order (CCO) is an alternative to prison for many offences. A CCO is an order that you must fulfil with certain conditions attached to it, such as unpaid work, curfews and judicial monitoring. These conditions are often similar to those imposed during parole periods.
What is a community corrections order in Australia?
The court makes a CCO under the power of the Sentencing Act. Magistrates’ courts can make CCOs for up to two years and County and Supreme courts can make them for a maximum of five years. A CCO is more serious than a fine but less severe than going to prison.
If the magistrate thinks you are suitable for a CCO they will get a report from Corrections Victoria to see what kind of conditions would suit you. This is called a pre-sentence report and the matter will usually have to be adjourned for some time until this can be prepared.
Generally, offenders who have committed serious violent crimes are not suitable for CCOs. However, CCOs are useful as an alternative to prison for offenders who are old and frail and can’t cope with the demands of prison or young offenders who have a good chance of turning their lives around completely.
The standard conditions for a CCO are a minimum of 300 hours unpaid community service and not to commit any other offences for the duration of the CCO. A CCO can also include other conditions, including a requirement to participate in drug or alcohol treatment, and to comply with any oral or written directions from the community corrections officer.
Spread the loveA community corrections order (CCO) is an alternative to prison for many offences. A CCO is an order that you must fulfil with certain conditions attached to it, such as unpaid work, curfews and judicial monitoring. These conditions are often similar to those imposed during parole periods. What is a community corrections order…