The court intervention programs include the

Defendants are supervised to participate in an Intervention Program.

An “intervention program” is defined in the Bail Act 1985 and the Sentencing Act 2017 as a program that provides—

(a) supervised treatment; or

(b) supervised rehabilitation; or

(c) supervised behaviour management; or

(d) supervised access to support services; or

(e) a combination of any one or more of the above.

Intervention Programs aim is to address the underlying causes of crime prior to sentencing so that the likelihood of re-offending is reduced and participation can be taken into account in sentencing.

Intervention Programs operate in specialist courts not in the general criminal list and are not open to the general public, without prior approval from the presiding Magistrate. Only one or two Magistrates are assigned to each specialist court so that they follow the progress of participants through the course of the program. Judicial supervision is a key component in all the Intervention Programs as research has shown that the Judicial Officer can positively influence participants to modify their behaviour by acknowledging and praising achievements and applying sanctions ranging from verbal disapproval to revoking bail if program conditions are not adhered to.

Program participation is taken into account in sentencing, however, failure to complete an Intervention Program will not attract any additional penalty.  The usual sentencing considerations for participants with mental impairment are applied which includes section 19C of the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Act 1988.

The Manager Intervention Programs reports to the Executive Director Court Services.