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Collection and Disclosure of Information

How information is collected

Wherever it is consistent with its functions and responsibilities, Corrections Victoria will collect information from prisoners and offenders personally, for example, by way of personal interview.

Corrections Victoria may collect information about prisoners and offenders from these organisations and individuals:

• courts, for information about the offence and sentence
• Adult Parole Board, for information on the conditions of parole
• police (state, territory or federal) for background information about the charges
• case workers managing programs for prisoners and offenders
• prospective co-residents involved in the Home Detention assessment process
• family members of prisoners seeking transfer under the interstate transfer provisions.

How information is used

Personal information collected about a prisoner is used to ensure their appropriate placement within the prison system and their access to appropriate programs and services, including post release services.

Personal information about an offender being supervised in the community is used to administer a court order and to ensure appropriate supervision in the community.

All prisoners and offenders are assigned a unique personal identity number, which is generated by Victoria Police and provided to Corrections Victoria. The ID number helps to accurately identify prisoners or offenders. Corrections Victorian will also assign a unique Corrections Reference Number (CRN) to prisoners.

Personal information about a prison visitor is used to record that a visit occurred and to assist the conduct of future visits. All visitors are assigned a Visitor Reference Number (VRN) to assist in this process.

Personal information will only be used in accordance with the Corrections Act 1986, or as required by any other law.

How information is disclosed

Corrections Victoria will confirm to any member of the public who enquires as to whether a person is currently imprisoned. However Corrections Victoria will not provide any further information, including details of any previous contact with Corrections Victoria. Corrections Victoria will not disclose whether a person is under supervision in the community.

Generally consent is required before personal information about a person is disclosed to someone else, except if the request is made by someone acting on behalf of a prisoner or offender, such as their legal representative.

Personal information will also be disclosed where:

• it is authorised under the Corrections Act 1986
• it is reasonably necessary for law enforcement
• it is allowed under the Information Privacy Act 2000
• it is required or authorised under any other law
• there is implied consent from the prisoner or offender

Who is personal information disclosed to?

Personal information would be disclosed to the following bodies or individuals:

• Adult Parole Board
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Centrelink, Child Support Agency, Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA)
• nominated emergency contact for a prisoner or offender
• nominated visitors of a prisoner or offender
• community organisations authorised by the Minister for Corrections
• a state or federal police force in cases where a warrant of apprehension is in existence or where an offender or prisoner is identified as a suspect in a criminal investigation
• people registered as victims on the Victims Register
• an agency or individual authorised by a regional manager of community correctional services to receive information relating to an offender
• a court which has requested an assessment of a person's suitability for an order requiring their supervision in the community

Information disclosed by Corrections Victoria is used by the following three agencies for data-matching purposes to update and to improve their records:

• VEC uses data to update a person's eligibility to vote
• Centrelink uses data to determine eligibility for benefits
• DIMIA uses data to initiate a review of the status of non citizens

How information is disposed

The retention and disposal of any personal records held by Corrections Victoria is controlled by the Public Records Act 1973. This Act requires that Corrections Victoria retains its records for a specified time. At the end of this period and as determined by this Act, these records will be either destroyed or transferred to the Public Records Office for permanent storage.