Corrective Services Ministers' Conference
The Ministers meet to consider and deal with problems relating to both prison and community based correction issues. These problems include: prison management, illegal use of drugs in custody; AIDS in correction institutions or their alternatives, or in those on parole; and the rates of imprisonment and strategies for reduction, particularly for Aboriginal offenders. In addition, issues about developing alternatives to imprisonment and problems with these schemes are on the agenda.
Composition
The Conference comprises all State and Territory Ministers responsible for corrections together with the relevant Ministers from New Zealand. The Australian Government is not a member of the Conference but the Minister for Home Affairs is invited to attend (Federal offenders are held in State and Territory corrective institutions).
Chairing Arrangements
Chairing of the Conference rotates, on a calendar year basis, between the jurisdictions represented.
Frequency of Meetings
There is only one Ministerial meeting per year. This is normally held with the first meeting each year of the MCAJ.
Associated Meetings of Officials
There is one meeting of officials each year comprising the heads of corrective service agencies in each jurisdiction and the officers in charge of community based corrective services. This meeting coincides with the first meeting of the MCPEMP Senior Officers' Group. The Australian Government, represented by its Attorney-General's Department has observer status at these meetings.
Secretariat Arrangements
Secretariat services are provided by the Australian Government.
Secretariat Contact
Secretary, MCAJ
Telephone: (02) 6250 6809
Facsimile: (02) 6273 0914
Email: mcajsec@ag.gov.au