Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (PDC: Shared accommodation) Policy 2011
Notifiable instrument NI2011-449
made under the  
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14(1) (Corrections policies and operating procedures) 

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Corrections Management (PDC: Shared accommodation) Policy 2011.

2	Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the
PDC: shared accommodation policy
attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.

Bernadette Mitcherson
Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
19 July 2011

Periodic Detention Centre: 

Shared Accommodation Policy

Purpose
Authority
Policy
Principles
Types of accommodation
The types of accommodation at the PDC include:
Allocating accommodation
Case notes
Review
Forms/templates
Related Policies and Procedures
Version Control

Purpose
To outline the shared accommodation policy for the Periodic Detention Centre (PDC).

Authority
Legislation
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14.
Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005, chapter 5. 

Policy
Principles
Consideration should be given to deciding whether detainees should be accommodated in shared or single accommodation at the PDC.

No detainee should be accommodated in shared accommodation where it can be reasonably foreseen that the detainee may be at risk of abuse or harassment.

Placement of detainees into shared accommodation should take into consideration the ability of individual detainees to live in a positive social environment.

Types of accommodation 
Accommodation types at the PDC include:

•	Cells that accommodate up to three detainees; and 
•	Unit cells that accommodate four or more detainees.

Allocating accommodation
The decision to accommodate a detainee singly or in shared accommodation is made by the CO2 on a case-by-case basis. In addition to this, consideration must be given to who shares accommodation and whether this is in the best interest of all detainees. Shared cells or units should be allocated to detainees who would benefit from a more social environment. 

When a detainee is being considered for accommodation in a shared cell or unit, the considerations of other detainees should be taken into account. 

The following factors must be considered when making a decision to accommodate detainees singly or in a shared cell or unit:
•	operational requirements;
•	the detainee’s preference; 
•	any perceived or potential threat posed by one detainee to the safety of another;
•	the vulnerability of one detainee to be abused by another;
•	the capacity for one detainee in a shared cell to offer support to the detainee with whom they are sharing;
•	any observed interaction between the detainees;
•	a detainee who is subject to a loss of privileges regime should not be placed in a shared cell; 
•	upon request, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees should be accommodated together; 
•	upon request, family members of the same gender should be accommodated together;
•	detainees with shared religious or cultural practices should where practical be accommodated together; 
•	a detainee who is unable to speak English should be placed with a detainee who would be able and willing to assist them;
•	detainees experiencing feelings of stress;
•	the medical requirements of the detainee;
•	any information gathered through Intelligence; and
•	any information in each detainee’s file. 

The above list is a guide and additional factors such as the availability of accommodation types may be considered.

A detainee may request to be accommodated singly or change accommodation if available.

Case notes
When the allocation of accommodation for a detainee is for a reason other than available bed space, for example where the detainee requests shared or single accommodation or they demonstrate a vulnerability that indicates a need for another detainee to share a cell, a case note must be made.  

This case note should detail relevant information used in making the decision.  

Review
Where a detainee is placed singly or in a shared cell for reasons of safety and well being, this arrangement should be reviewed after the first weekend by the CO2 and then at regular intervals. The review should consider whether the arrangement is in the best interests of the detainee.

Forms/templates
Nil

Related Policies and Procedures
 Nil 

Version Control
Owner: 			Correctional Officer Grade 4 (CO4), Periodic Detention Centre
Document Location:	http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/current/c.asp
Review Cycle:	This policy should be reviewed every 24 months or when associated ACTCS policies or procedures are amended. 

Amendment History	
Version no. 	Issue date	Amendment details	Author	Approval	
1.0	July 2011	Initial policy	Governance Unit, ACTCS	Executive Director, ACTCS