Temporary leave of absence
Temporary leave of absence
The Secretary can permit a person in prison to be temporarily absent from the prison for an approved purpose under s 57 of the Corrections Act by issuing a custodial community permit.
Approved purposes include visiting families where the person in prison was a primary caregiver before and following their imprisonment or, in exceptional circumstances, attending an educational or training institution, participating in sport or other recreational activities, seeking employment, attending a funeral or obtaining medical or psychiatric attention.
Corrections Administration Permits (s 57A)
Section 57A of the Corrections Act outlines that a Corrections Administration Permit (CAP) can be issued for the following purposes:
- a purpose related to the health of the person in prison;
- a purpose relating to the administration of justice;
- to visit someone who is seriously ill or in acute need, if they have had a long standing personal relationship with that person;
- to attend the funeral of a person with whom they’ve had a longstanding personal relationship;
- to visit another prison.
A CAP can be issued for up to three days, but can be issued for a longer period in limited circumstances.
Rehabilitation and Transition Permits (s 57B)
Rehabilitation and Transition Permits (RTPs) are issued to allow a person in prison to leave the prison for the purposes of preparing a person for their release from prison. RTPs can be issued to allow a person in prison to take part in a fitness, training or education course, to attend activities that will assist to extend their ties with their family, to look for employment or to attend a rehabilitation course. Often RTPs are issued for people who are placed in transitional centres and form part of their transitional plans. RTPs can be issued for up to 30 days.
