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Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015
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South Australia
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015
An Act to provide for the making of extended supervision orders and continuing detention orders in relation to certain serious offenders; and for other purposes.
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
3 Object of Act
4 Interpretation
5 Meaning of high risk offender
5A Meaning of terror suspect
6 Application of Act
Part 2—Extended supervision orders
7 Proceedings
8 Parties
9 Interim supervision orders
10 Supervision orders—terms and conditions
11 Conditions of extended supervision orders imposed by Parole Board
12 Duration of extended supervision order
13 Variation and revocation of supervision order by Supreme Court
13A Variation or revocation of condition of extended supervision order by Parole Board on application
14 Consequential and ancillary orders
Part 3—Continuing detention orders
15 Arrest and detention of person subject to supervision order on warrant
16 Arrest and detention of person subject to supervision order without warrant
17 Proceedings before Parole Board under this Part
18 Continuing detention orders
19 Variation and revocation of continuing detention order
Part 3A—Inter‑agency cooperation
19AA Interpretation
19AAB Exchange of information
Part 4—Miscellaneous
19A Special procedures for terror suspects
20 Court may obtain reports
21 Inquiries by health professionals
22 Appeals
23 Regulations
Legislative history
The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:
Part 1—Preliminary
1—Short title
This Act may be cited as the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015.
3—Object of Act
The object of this Act is to provide the means to protect the community from being exposed to an appreciable risk of harm posed by various serious offenders.
4—Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
CE means the chief executive of the administrative unit of the Public Service that is, under a Minister, responsible for the administration of the Correctional Services Act 1982;
Commonwealth Criminal Code means the Criminal Code set out in the Schedule to the Criminal Code Act 1995 of the Commonwealth, or a law of the Commonwealth that replaces that Code;
community corrections officer means an officer or employee of the administrative unit of the Public Service that is, under a Minister, responsible for the administration of the Correctional Services Act 1982 whose duties include the supervision of offenders in the community;
continuing detention order—see section 18(2);
detainee means a person who is—
(a) detained as a result of being declared liable to supervision under Part 8A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935; or
(b) detained in immigration detention (within the meaning of the Migration Act 1958 of the Commonwealth);
extended supervision order means an order under section 7 of this Act made by the Supreme Court for the supervision of a high risk offender;
government custody means custody as a prisoner or detainee;
high risk offender—see section 5;
home detention has the same meaning as in the Correctional Services Act 1982;
interim supervision order—see section 9;
medical practitioner means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the medical profession (other than as a student);
Parole Board means the Parole Board of South Australia;
prescribed authority means the authority prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of sections 7(3) and 21;
prescribed health professional means—
(a) a qualifying psychologist; or
(b) a medical practitioner,
nominated by the prescribed authority;
prisoner has the same meaning as in the Correctional Services Act 1982;
psychologist means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the psychology profession (other than as a student);
qualifying psychologist means a psychologist who—
(a) has at least 5 years experience as a psychologist; and
(b) either—
(i) has an endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia as a forensic psychologist; or
(ii) has, in the opinion of the prescribed authority, sufficient experience in the forensic mental health field to properly carry out functions as a prescribed health professional;
relevant expiry date means—
(a) in relation to a high risk offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment—
(i) if the offender is not serving a sentence of life imprisonment—the date on which the term, or terms, of imprisonment to which the offender was sentenced expire; and
(ii) if the offender is serving a sentence of life imprisonment—the date on which the sentence of imprisonment will be taken to have been wholly satisfied; and
(b) in relation to a high risk offender who is subject to an existing extended supervision order—the date on which the extended supervision order expires;
respondent—see section 7(1);
serious offence of violence has the same meaning as in section 83D(1) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935;
serious sexual offence means any of the following offences where the maximum penalty prescribed for the offence is, or includes, imprisonment for at least 5 years:
(a) —
(i) an offence under section 48, 48A, 49, 50, 51, 56, 58, 59, 60, 63, 63B, 66, 67, 68 or 72 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935;
(ii) an offence against a corresponding previous enactment substantially similar to an offence referred to in subparagraph (i);
(iii) an attempt to commit or an assault with intent to commit any of the offences referred to in either of the preceding subparagraphs;
(b) an offence against the law of another State or a Territory corresponding to an offence referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) an offence against a law of the Commonwealth that, ignoring any element of the Commonwealth law relating to the location of the offence, corresponds to an offence referred to in paragraph (a);
serious sexual offender means a person convicted (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) of a serious sexual offence;
serious violent offender means a person convicted (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) of a serious offence of violence;
supervision order means an extended supervision order or an interim supervision order;
terrorism intelligence authority means a terrorism intelligence authority designated by regulations under section 74B of the Police Act 1998;
terrorism notification means a terrorism notification under section 74B of the Police Act 1998;
terrorist act has the same meaning as in Part 5.3 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code;
terrorist offence means—
(a) an offence against Division 72 Subdivision A of the Commonwealth Criminal Code (International terrorist activities using explosive or lethal devices); or
(b) a terrorism offence against Part 5.3 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code (Terrorism) where the maximum penalty is 7 or more years imprisonment; or
(c) an offence against Part 5.5 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code (Foreign incursions and recruitment), except an offence against subsection 119.7(2) or (3) (Publishing recruitment advertisements); or
(d) an offence against the repealed Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978 of the Commonwealth, except an offence against paragraph 9(1)(b) or (c) of that Act (Publishing recruitment advertisements); or
(e) an offence of a kind prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition;
terror suspect—see section 5A.
(2) A reference to the Attorney‑General in a provision of this Act relating to any application or proceedings will be read as a reference to—
(a) in the case of an application or proceedings involving a terror suspect—the Commonwealth Attorney‑General or the State Attorney‑General; or
(b) in any other case—the State Attorney‑General.
(3) A reference in this Act to a person convicted of an offence includes a person who was, at the time they were convicted of the offence, under the age of 18 years.
(4) A reference in this Act to a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment includes a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment on release on home detention or on parole.
5—Meaning of high risk offender
For the purposes of this Act, a high risk offender is—
(a) a serious sexual offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of a serious sexual offence; or
(b) a serious sexual offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment any part of which is in respect of any of the following offences:
(i) an offence under section 58 or 63A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935;
(ii) an offence under section 44, 45, 65 or 66N(2) of the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006;
(iii) an offence under section 99I of the Criminal Procedure Act 1921;
(iv) an offence prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph; or
(c) a serious sexual offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of any other offence to be served concurrently or consecutively with a sentence of imprisonment in respect of a serious sexual offence; or
(d) a serious violent offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of a serious offence of violence; or
(e) a serious violent offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of any other offence to be served concurrently or consecutively with a sentence of imprisonment in respect of a serious offence of violence; or
(f) a terror suspect who is serving a sentence of imprisonment; or
(g) a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in relation to an offence against section 241 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 where the offence committed by the principal offender (within the meaning of that section) was a serious offence of violence or serious sexual offence; or
(h) a person who is subject to an extended supervision order; or
(i) a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment during the course of which an extended supervision order applying to the person expires.
5A—Meaning of terror suspect
(1) Subject to this section, a person is a terror suspect for the purposes of this Act if the person—
(a) is, or has previously been, charged with a terrorist offence; or
(b) has ever been convicted of a terrorist offence; or
(c) is the subject of a terrorism notification; or
(d) is, or has previously been, the subject of a control order under Part 5.3 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a person is only taken to have been charged with an offence if an information or other initiating process charging the person with the offence has been filed in a court.
(3) A person is not a terror suspect for the purposes of this Act if the person is a terrorist offender within the meaning of subsection 105A.3(1) of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
6—Application of Act
(1) Subject to subsection (2), an application for a supervision order under this Act may not be made in respect of a person who is under the age of 18 years.
(2) An application for a supervision order under this Act may be made in respect of a person who—
(a) is of or above the age of 16 years; and
(b) is a terror suspect,
and in such a case this Act will apply with any modifications as may be prescribed by the regulations.
Part 2—Extended supervision orders
7—Proceedings
(1) The Attorney‑General may make an application to the Supreme Court for an extended supervision order to be made in respect of a person who is a high risk offender (the respondent).
(2) An application for an order under this section may only be made within the 12 months preceding the relevant expiry date for the respondent.
(3) The Supreme Court must, before determining whether to make an extended supervision order, direct that 1 or more prescribed health professionals examine the respondent and report to the Court on the results of the examination, including—
(a) if the respondent is a serious sexual offender—an assessment of the likelihood of the respondent committing a further serious sexual offence; or
(b) if the respondent is a serious violent offender—an assessment of the likelihood of the respondent committing a further serious offence of violence; or
(c) if the respondent is a terror suspect—an assessment of the likelihood of the respondent committing a terrorist offence, or otherwise being involved in a terrorist act, or committing a serious offence of violence; or
(d) if the respondent is a person referred to in paragraph (g) of the definition of high risk offender in section 5 (or was such a person when first subjected to an extended supervision order)—an assessment of the likelihood of the respondent committing any prescribed offence.
(4) The Supreme Court may, on application under this section, order that the respondent is to be subject to an extended supervision order if satisfied that—
(a) the respondent is a high risk offender; and
(b) the respondent poses an appreciable risk to the safety of the community if not supervised under the order.
(5) The paramount consideration of the Supreme Court in determining whether to make an extended supervision order must be the safety of the community.
(6) The Supreme Court must also take the following matters into consideration in determining whether to make an extended supervision order in respect of the respondent:
(a) the likelihood of the respondent committing offences of a kind assessed under subsection (3)(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as the case may be) if not supervised under the order;
(b) the reports of any prescribed health professional (as directed under subsection (3)) furnished to the Court;
(c) any report prepared by the Parole Board under section 64(5) of the Correctional Services Act 1982;
(d) any report required by the Court under section 20 (including the results of any statistical or other assessment furnished to the Court as to the likelihood of persons with histories and characteristics similar to those of the respondent committing a further relevant offence);
(e) any relevant evidence or representations that the respondent may desire to put to the Court;
(f) any treatment or rehabilitation program in which the respondent has had an opportunity to participate, including his or her willingness to so participate and the extent of such participation;
(g) in the case of a respondent released on parole—the extent to which he or she has complied with the conditions of his or her release on parole;
(h) in the case of a respondent subject to an existing extended supervision order—the extent to which he or she has complied with the terms of the order;
(i) in the case of a respondent who is a registrable offender (within the meaning of the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006)—the extent to which he or she has complied with any obligations under that Act;
(j) the circumstances and seriousness of any offence in respect of which the respondent has been found guilty according to his or her criminal history, and any pattern of offending behaviour disclosed by that history;
(k) any remarks made by the sentencing court in passing sentence;
(l) any other matter that the Court thinks relevant.
(6a) In determining whether to make an order under this section in respect of the respondent, the Court must not take into consideration any intention of the respondent to leave this State (whether permanently or temporarily).
(7) In this section—
prescribed offence means—
(a) an offence against section 241 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 where the offence committed by the principal offender (within the meaning of that section) was a serious offence of violence or serious sexual offence; or
(b) a serious offence of violence; or
(c) a serious sexual offence.
8—Parties
(1) Both the Attorney‑General and the person to whom an application under this Act for an extended supervision order relates are parties to the application.
(2) If an application relates to a terror suspect—
(a) the Attorney‑General may be represented in the proceedings by a terrorism intelligence authority; or
(b) a terrorism intelligence authority has a right to appear and be heard in the proceedings.
9—Interim supervision orders
(1) The Supreme Court may make an interim supervision order if an application for an extended supervision order in relation to a high risk offender has been made and the Court is satisfied—
(a) that the relevant expiry date for the respondent is likely to occur before the application is determined or has already occurred; and
(b) that the matters alleged in the material supporting the application would, if proved, justify the making of an extended supervision order.
(2) An interim supervision order takes effect on the making of the order until the application for the extended supervision order is determined.
(3) The obligations of a person subject to an interim supervision order are suspended during any period that the person is in government custody.
10—Supervision orders—terms and conditions
(1) The following conditions apply in relation to an extended supervision order:
(a) a condition that the person subject to the order not commit any offence;
(b) a condition that the person subject to the order is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition (both within the meaning of the Firearms Act 2015) or any part of a firearm;
(c) a condition prohibiting the person subject to the order from possessing an offensive weapon unless the Supreme Court permits the person to possess such a weapon and the person complies with the terms and conditions of the permission;
(d) a condition that the person subject to the order—
(i) be under the supervision of a community corrections officer; and
(ii) obey the reasonable directions of the community corrections officer; and
(iii) submit to such tests (including testing without notice) for gunshot residue as the community corrections officer may reasonably require;
(da) a condition that the person subject to the order is prohibited from leaving the State without the permission of the Supreme Court or the Parole Board, which may be subject to the terms and conditions that the Court or the Parole Board (as the case requires) thinks fit;
(e) any other condition that the Court thinks fit and specifies in the order (including any condition the Parole Board is able to impose under section 11(1));
(f) any condition imposed by the Parole Board under section 11.
(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(a) to (e) (inclusive) apply in relation to an interim supervision order.
(3) The Supreme Court may only vary or revoke the condition imposed by subsection (1)(b) if the Court is satisfied that—
(a) there are cogent reasons to do so; and
(b) the possession of the firearm, ammunition or part of a firearm by the person does not represent an undue risk to the safety of the public.
(4) The Supreme Court must, on making or varying a supervision order—
(a) take all reasonable steps to explain to the person the subject of the order the terms and conditions of the order and, in particular—
(i) the person's obligations under the order; and
(ii) the consequences that may follow from a failure to comply with the order; and
(b) forward a copy of the order as made or varied to the Parole Board and to the Commissioner of Police.
(5) The Supreme Court or the Parole Board may only give permission to a person under subsection (1)(da) if the person provides information about their proposed travel out of the State, including any particulars prescribed by the regulations, to the Court, the Parole Board or any other person specified by the Court or the Board.
11—Conditions of extended supervision orders imposed by Parole Board
(1) Without limiting section 10(1)(f), the Parole Board may (for example) impose a condition on an extended supervision order—
(a) requiring the person subject to the order to—
(i) reside at a specified address; or
(ia) remain at the person's residence during a specified period and not leave the residence at any time during that period except for a specified purpose, or in specified circumstances; or
(ii) undertake such activities and programs as determined from time to time by the Board; or
(iii) be monitored by use of an electronic device; or
(b) providing that a community corrections officer or police officer may, at any time—
(i) visit the person subject to the order at the person's residential address; and
(ii) access any computer or related equipment that is at the person's residential address or in the possession of the person,
and, for that purpose, enter the premises at that address; or
(c) prohibiting or restricting the person subject to the order from—
(i) associating or communicating with a specified person or persons of a specified class; or
(ii) residing or being present at, or being in the vicinity of, a specified place or premises or a place or premises of a specified class; or
(iii) possessing a specified article or weapon, or articles or weapons of a specified class; or
(iv) engaging in specified conduct, or conduct of a specified kind; or
(v) undertaking specified employment or employment of a specified kind; or
(vi) applying for a change of name; or
(vii) engaging in any other conduct of a kind specified by the Board.
(2) The Parole Board may, of its own motion, vary or revoke a condition of the order imposed by the Board or impose further conditions on the order.
(3) The Parole Board must, on imposing a condition or further condition on, or on varying or revoking a condition of, an extended supervision order—
(a) provide the person the subject of the order with a copy of the order as varied by the Board; and
(b) take all reasonable steps to explain to the person the subject of the order the terms and conditions of the order and, in particular—
(i) the person's obligations under the order; and
(ii) the consequences that may follow from a failure to comply with the order; and
(c) forward a copy of the order as varied by the Board under this section to the Supreme Court and the Commissioner of Police.
(4) The Parole Board cannot exercise its powers under subsection (1) or (2) of its own motion in relation to a person subject to an extended supervision order unless the person and the Attorney‑General have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the Board on the matter, and the Board has considered any submissions so made.
(5) For the purposes of proceedings under subsection (1) or (2), a member of the Parole Board may summon the person the subject of the proceedings to appear before the Board.
(6) If a person who has been summoned to appear before the Parole Board fails to attend in compliance with the summons, the Board may—
(a) determine the proceedings in his or her absence; or
(b) direct a member of the Board to—
(i) issue a warrant; or
(ii) apply to a magistrate for a warrant,
for the apprehension and detention of the person for the purpose of bringing him or her before the Board.
(7) A magistrate must, on application under this section, issue a warrant for the apprehension and detention of a person, unless it is apparent, on the face of the application, that no reasonable grounds exist for the issue of the warrant.
(8) The Parole Board may, if it thinks good reason exists for doing so, cancel a warrant issued under this section at any time before its execution.
12—Duration of extended supervision order
(1) An extended supervision order—
(a) takes effect—
(i) on the making of the order; or
(ii) on the relevant expiry date for the person subject to the order,
whichever is the later; and
(b) remains in force for a period of 5 years or such lesser period as is determined by the Supreme Court and specified in the order.
(2) The obligations of a person subject to an extended supervision order are suspended during any period the person is in government custody.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents the Court, on application by the Attorney‑General, from making a second or subsequent extended supervision order against a person.
13—Variation and revocation of supervision order by Supreme Court
(1) The Supreme Court may, on application made by the Attorney‑General or a person subject to a supervision order, vary a condition of the order (including a condition imposed by the Parole Board), impose further conditions on the order or revoke the order.
(2) A person subject to a supervision order may only apply under subsection (1) with the permission of the Court.
(3) The Court may only grant permission under subsection (2) if satisfied that—
(a) there has been a material change in circumstances relating to the person or supervision order; and
(b) it is in the interests of justice to grant permission.
(4) If the Supreme Court is of the opinion that an application under subsection (1) for the variation of a condition of an order should be determined by the Parole Board, the Court may refer the application to the Board for determination.
(5) The Supreme Court may make rules in respect of the transfer of specified classes of applications to the Parole Board.
(6) If an application is transferred or referred to the Parole Board under this section, the application will proceed as if it had been made to the Parole Board and a reference to the Supreme Court in this section will be taken to be a reference to the Board (as the case requires).
13A—Variation or revocation of condition of extended supervision order by Parole Board on application
(1) The Parole Board may, on application made by the Attorney‑General or a person subject to an extended supervision order, vary or revoke a condition of the order (including a condition imposed by the Supreme Court) or impose further conditions on the order.
Note—
The Parole Board may, of its own motion under section 11, vary or revoke a condition of the order imposed by the Board or impose further conditions on the order.
(2) A person subject to an extended supervision order may only apply under subsection (1) for the variation or revocation of a condition imposed by the Supreme Court with the permission of the Parole Board.
(3) The Parole Board may only grant permission under subsection (2) if satisfied that—
(a) there has been a material change in circumstances relating to the person or extended supervision order; and
(b) it is in the interests of justice to grant permission.
(4) The Parole Board must give notice of each application under this section to the Supreme Court.
(5) The Parole Board must not exercise its powers under this section unless the person subject to the order and the Attorney‑General have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the Parole Board on the matter, and the Board has considered any submissions so made.
(6) The Parole Board may only vary or revoke the condition imposed by section 10(1)(b) if satisfied that—
(a) there are cogent reasons to do so; and
(b) the possession of the firearm, ammunition or part of a firearm by the person does not represent an undue risk to the safety of the public.
(7) The Parole Board must, on varying an extended supervision order or imposing a further condition on an order—
(a) provide the person the subject of the order with a copy of the order as varied by the Board; and
(b) take all reasonable steps to explain to the person the subject of the order the terms and conditions of the order and, in particular—
(i) the person's obligations under the order; and
(ii) the consequences that may follow from a failure to comply with the order; and
(c) forward a copy of the order as varied to the Supreme Court and to the Commissioner of Police.
(8) If the Parole Board is of the opinion that an application under subsection (1) for the variation of a condition of an order (including the question of permission under subsection (2)) should be determined by the Supreme Court, the Parole Board may refer the application to the Court.
(9) If the Supreme Court is of the opinion that an application made under subsection (1) should be determined by the Court, the Court may order that the application be heard and determined by the Court.
(10) The Supreme Court may make rules in respect of the transfer of specified classes of applications to the Court.
(11) If an application is transferred or referred to the Supreme Court under this section, the application will proceed as if it had been made to the Court and a reference to the Parole Board in this section will be taken to be a reference to the Court (as the case requires).
(12) For the purposes of proceedings under this section, a member of the Parole Board may summon the person the subject of the proceedings to appear before the Board.
(13) If a person who has been summoned to appear before the Parole Board fails to attend in compliance with the summons, the Board may—
(a) determine the proceedings in the person's absence; or
(b) direct a member of the Board to—
(i) issue a warrant; or
(ii) apply to a magistrate for a warrant,
for the apprehension and detention of the person for the purpose of bringing them before the Board.
(14) A magistrate must, on application under this section, issue a warrant for the apprehension and detention of a person, unless it is apparent, on the face of the application, that no reasonable grounds exist for the issue of the warrant.
(15) The Parole Board may, if it thinks good reason exists for doing so, cancel a warrant issued under this section at any time before its execution.
14—Consequential and ancillary orders
(1) The Supreme Court may, on making or varying a supervision order, make any consequential or ancillary order it thinks fit, including, in a case where the supervision order prohibits the possession of an article or weapon or an article or weapon of a specified class, an order—
(a) providing for the surrender or confiscation of the article or weapon or such an article or weapon; and
(b) if the circumstances of the case so require, authorising a police officer—
(i) to enter and search and, if necessary, use reasonable force to break into or open—
(A) premises or a vehicle in which the article or weapon, or such an article or weapon is suspected to be; or
(B) part of, or anything in or on, premises or a vehicle in which the article or weapon, or such an article or weapon is suspected to be; and
(ii) to take possession of the article or weapon, or such an article or weapon.
(2) An article or weapon surrendered or confiscated under subsection (1) is forfeited to the Crown and may be sold or disposed of as the Attorney‑General thinks fit unless the Court orders that the article or weapon is to be returned to the person subject to the supervision order when the order lapses or is revoked.
(2a) The Parole Board may, on varying an extended supervision order, make any consequential or ancillary order it thinks fit in the circumstances of the particular case.
(3) The Court may not award costs against a person to whom this Act applies in respect of proceedings under this Act.
Part 3—Continuing detention orders
15—Arrest and detention of person subject to supervision order on warrant
(1) If the presiding member or deputy presiding member of the Parole Board suspects on reasonable grounds that a person subject to a supervision order may have breached a condition of the order, the presiding member or deputy presiding member may—
(a) summon the person to attend before the Board; or
(b) for the purpose of bringing the person before the Board, issue a warrant for the arrest of the person.
(2) If a member of the Parole Board (other than the presiding member or deputy presiding member) suspects on reasonable grounds that a person subject to a supervision order may have breached a condition of the order—
(a) the member may summon the person to attend before the Board; or
(b) for the purpose of bringing the person before the Board, the member may apply to—
(i) the presiding member or deputy presiding member of the Board for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the person; or
(ii) a magistrate for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the person.
(3) If a police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that a person subject to a supervision order may have breached a condition of the order, the police officer may apply to—
(a) the presiding member or deputy presiding member of the Parole Board; or
(b) if, after making reasonable efforts to contact the presiding member and deputy presiding member, neither is available—a magistrate,
for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the person.
(4) If a person fails to comply with a summons to attend before the Parole Board issued under this section—
(a) the Board may proceed to deal with the matter in the person's absence; or
(b) for the purpose of bringing the person before the Board, the presiding member or deputy presiding member may issue a warrant for the arrest of the person.
(5) A warrant issued under this section authorises the detention of the person in custody pending appearance before the Parole Board.
(6) A magistrate must, on application under this section, issue a warrant for the arrest of a person unless it is apparent, on the face of the application, that no reasonable grounds exist for the issue of the warrant.
(7) If a warrant is issued by a magistrate on an application by a police officer under this section—
(a) the police officer must, within 2 working days of the warrant being issued, provide the Parole Board with a written report on the matter; and
(b) the warrant will expire at the end of the period of 2 working days after the day on which the report is provided to the Board; and
(c) the presiding member or deputy presiding member of the Board must consider the report within 2 working days after receipt and—
(i) issue a fresh warrant for the continued detention of the person pending appearance before the Board; or
(ii) cancel the warrant, order that the person be released from custody and, if appearance before the Board is required, issue a summons for the person to appear before the Board.
(8) If a warrant expires under subsection (7)(b) or a fresh warrant is not issued under subsection (7)(c)(i), the person must be released from custody.
(9) The Parole Board may, if it thinks there is good reason to do so, by order, cancel a warrant issued under this section that has not been executed.
16—Arrest and detention of person subject to supervision order without warrant
(1) A police officer may, on the authorisation of a senior police officer, without warrant, arrest a person subject to a supervision order if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person has breached a condition of the order.
(2) If a person is arrested under subsection (1)—
(a) the person must be taken to the nearest police station; and
(b) within 12 hours of the arrest—the presiding member or deputy presiding member of the Parole Board (or, if neither of those members is available, a magistrate) must be notified of the arrest; and
(c) as soon as is reasonably practicable after being so notified—the presiding member or deputy presiding member (or the magistrate) (as the case requires) must, by order, direct that the person—
(i) be detained in custody pending attendance before the Board; or
(ii) be released and summoned to attend before the Board; or
(iii) be released from custody.
(3) In this section—
senior police officer means a police officer of or above the rank of Inspector.
17—Proceedings before Parole Board under this Part
(1) The following provisions apply in relation to proceedings relating to an alleged breach of a supervision order before the Parole Board under this Part:
(a) the person subject to the order and the Attorney‑General must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the Board on the matter;
(b) if the Board is satisfied that the person has breached a condition of the order, the Board may vary or revoke a condition of the order imposed by the Board under this Act or impose further conditions on the order and, if the person is in custody—
(i) direct that the person be released from custody; or
(ia) direct that the person be detained in custody pending circumstances necessary for the purposes of ensuring the person's compliance with a condition of the order being in place; or
(ii) direct that the person be detained in custody pending attendance before the Supreme Court for determination as to whether a continuing detention order should be made in respect of the person.
(2) The Parole Board must, on imposing a condition or further condition on, or on varying or revoking a condition of, the order—
(a) provide the person the subject of the order with a copy of the order as varied by the Board; and
(b) take all reasonable steps to explain to the person the subject of the order the terms and conditions of the order and, in particular—
(i) the person's obligations under the order; and
(ii) the consequences that may follow from a failure to comply with the order; and
(c) forward a copy of the order as varied by the Board under this section to the Supreme Court and the Commissioner of Police.
(3) Subject to any order made by the Supreme Court, an order directing that a person be detained in custody under this section authorises the detention of the person in custody pending determination of the Supreme Court proceedings relating to the continuing detention order.
18—Continuing detention orders
(1) If the Parole Board directs that a person subject to a supervision order be detained in custody pending attendance before the Supreme Court for determination as to whether a continuing detention order should be made in respect of the person, the matter is referred to the Court by force of this subsection.
(2) The Supreme Court may, if satisfied that the person—
(a) has breached a condition of the supervision order; and
(b) poses an appreciable risk to the safety of the community if not detained in custody,
order that the person be detained in custody (a continuing detention order)—
(c) until the expiration of the breached supervision order; or
(d) if a further supervision order is made in respect of the person—until the expiration of that further supervision order; or
(e) for such lesser period as may be specified by the Court.
(3) The paramount consideration of the Supreme Court in determining whether to make a continuing detention order must be the safety of the community.
(4) The Supreme Court may, if the Court thinks fit, order that a person the subject of proceedings under this section be detained in custody pending the determination of the proceedings.
(4a) If the Supreme Court declines to make a continuing detention order in respect of a person the subject of proceedings under this section the Court may—
(a) vary or revoke a condition of the supervision order applying in respect of the person or impose further conditions on the supervision order; and
(b) order that the person be detained in custody beyond the determination of the proceedings—
(i) pending circumstances reasonably necessary for the purposes of ensuring the person's compliance with a condition of the supervision order being in place; or
(ii) in exceptional circumstances, for a period necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(4b) If the Supreme Court makes a continuing detention order in respect of a person the subject of proceedings under this section and the continuing detention order will expire before the supervision order applying to the person expires, the Court may vary or revoke a condition of the supervision order or impose further conditions on the supervision order.
(5) The Attorney‑General and the person the subject of proceedings under this section are parties to the proceedings, and the Parole Board has a right to appear and be heard in the proceedings.
(5a) If proceedings under this section relate to a terror suspect—
(a) the Attorney‑General may be represented in the proceedings by a terrorism intelligence authority; or
(b) a terrorism intelligence authority has a right to appear and be heard in the proceedings.
(6) As soon as is reasonably practicable after making a continuing detention order or an order under subsection (4) in respect of a person subject to a supervision order, the Supreme Court must issue a warrant committing the person to a correctional institution for the period specified in the order.
(7) To avoid doubt—
(a) if a person is detained in custody under this section until the expiration of his or her supervision order, the supervision order expires on the person's release from custody (but nothing in this paragraph prevents the Supreme Court, on application by the Attorney‑General, from making a second or subsequent supervision order against the person); and
(b) if a person is detained in custody under this section for a lesser period, the person continues to be subject to the supervision order on release from custody for the balance of the duration of the order (and the date of expiry of the supervision order under section 12 is not affected by the fact that the obligations of the person under the order were suspended during the period that the person was in custody).
19—Variation and revocation of continuing detention order
(1) The Supreme Court may, on application made by the Attorney‑General, the Parole Board or a person subject to a continuing detention order, vary or revoke the order.
(2) A person subject to a continuing detention order may only apply under subsection (1) with the permission of the Court.
(3) The Court may only grant permission under subsection (2) if satisfied that—
(a) there has been a material change in circumstances relating to the person; and
(b) it is in the interests of justice to grant permission.
Part 3A—Inter‑agency cooperation
19AA—Interpretation
In this Part—
corresponding law means a law of the Commonwealth or of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth, that substantially corresponds to this Act;
interstate relevant agency means an agency of the Commonwealth or of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth, prescribed by the regulations as an interstate relevant agency;
relevant agency means a public sector agency prescribed by the regulations as a relevant agency.
19AAB—Exchange of information
(1) A relevant agency may enter into an arrangement (a cooperative protocol) with 1 or more interstate relevant agencies in respect of the sharing or exchange of information between the relevant agency and the interstate relevant agencies.
(2) The information to which a cooperative protocol may relate is limited to the following:
(a) information concerning high risk offenders;
(b) information concerning a person, or person of a class, subject to an order under a corresponding law;
(c) any other information prescribed by the regulations.
(3) For the purposes of a cooperative protocol, a relevant agency is authorised—
(a) to request and receive information held by an interstate relevant agency that is party to the cooperative protocol; and
(b) to disclose information to an interstate relevant agency that is party to the cooperative protocol,
to the extent that the information is reasonably necessary to assist in the exercise of functions under this Act or the functions of the interstate relevant agencies concerned.
(4) This section does not limit the operation of any other Act under which a relevant agency is authorised or required to disclose information to another person or body.
Part 4—Miscellaneous
19A—Special procedures for terror suspects
(1) Despite any other provision of this Act, a decision of the Parole Board relating to a terror suspect (other than a decision to issue a direction under section 11(6)(b)) is of no effect unless it is confirmed by the presiding member of the Parole Board in accordance with this section.
(2) The presiding member of the Parole Board must, before confirming a decision relating to a terror suspect, invite a terrorism intelligence authority to make submissions to the presiding member in relation to the proposed decision.
(3) The presiding member of the Parole Board must not confirm a decision of the Parole Board relating to a terror suspect unless the presiding member is satisfied that the decision is appropriate in all the circumstances.
(4) The presiding member of the Parole Board may determine to—
(a) confirm a decision of the Parole Board (in which case the decision of the Board is taken to have effect immediately); or
(b) reject a decision of the Parole Board and substitute the presiding member's own decision (in which case the Board is taken to have made the decision as so substituted and that decision is taken to have effect immediately); or
(c) refer the matter back to the Parole Board for a further decision with any recommendations the presiding member thinks fit (in which case any further decision of the Board will be subject to the requirement for confirmation under this section in the same way as the decision at first instance).
(5) The presiding member of the Parole Board is not required to provide any grounds or reasons for a determination under this section to the person the subject of the determination.
(6) Information forming the basis for the making of a determination under this section must not be disclosed to any person (except to the Attorney‑General, a court or a person to whom a terrorism intelligence authority authorises its disclosure) if, at the time at which the question of disclosure is to be decided, the information is properly classified by the terrorism intelligence authority as terrorism intelligence under section 74B of the Police Act 1998 (whether or not the information was so classified at the time at which the determination under this section was made).
(7) If the presiding member of the Parole Board is for any reason absent or unable to act for the purpose of this section—
(a) if the first deputy presiding member of the Parole Board is available, the first deputy presiding member must act as the presiding member for that purpose; or
(b) if the first deputy presiding member is for any reason absent or unable to act for that purpose, the second deputy presiding member of the Parole Board must act as the presiding member for that purpose.
20—Court may obtain reports
(1) The Supreme Court may, for the purpose of proceedings under this Act, require the Parole Board, the CE or any other body or person to furnish the Court with a report on any matter.
(2) A copy of any report furnished to the Court under subsection (1) must be given to each party to the proceedings or to counsel for those parties.
21—Inquiries by health professionals
Where, for the purposes of an application for an extended supervision order, the Supreme Court directs 1 or more prescribed health professionals to examine the respondent to the application and report to the Court on the results of the examination, each prescribed health professional so nominated—
(a) must carry out an independent personal examination of the respondent; and
(b) may have access to any evidence before the court by which the respondent was convicted; and
(c) may obtain the assistance of a medical practitioner, psychologist, social worker, community corrections officer or any other person.
22—Appeals
(1) An appeal lies to the Court of Appeal against a decision of the Supreme Court to make an extended supervision order or a continuing detention order or to refuse to make such an order.
(2) An appeal under this section may be instituted by the Attorney‑General or by the person to whom the decision relates.
(3) Subject to a contrary order of the Court of Appeal, an appeal cannot be commenced after 10 days from the date of the decision against which the appeal lies.
(4) On an appeal, the Court of Appeal may—
(a) confirm, reverse or annul the decision subject to appeal;
(b) make any order that it considers should have been made in the first instance;
(c) make any consequential or ancillary orders.
(5) The institution of an appeal under this section does not affect the operation of the decision to which the appeal relates.
23—Regulations
(1) The Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or as are necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may—
(a) be of general application or vary in their application according to prescribed factors; and
(b) provide that a matter or thing in respect of which regulations may be made is to be determined according to the discretion of the Minister or a prescribed person.
Legislative history
Notes
• Please note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.
• Earlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.
• For further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.
Legislation amended by principal Act
The Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 amended the following:
Bail Act 1985
Correctional Services Act 1982
Principal Act and amendments
New entries appear in bold.
Year
No
Title
Assent
Commencement
2015
13
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015
9.7.2015
25.1.2016 (Gazette 11.11.2015 p4886)
2015
46
Firearms Act 2015
17.12.2015
Sch 1 (cl 9)—1.7.2017 (Gazette 27.6.2017 p2619)
2017
53
Statutes Amendment (Sentencing) Act 2017
28.11.2017
Pt 9 (s 17)—30.4.2018 (Gazette 6.2.2018 p612)
2017
69
Statutes Amendment (Terror Suspect Detention) Act 2017
12.12.2017
Pt 4 (ss 18 to 26)—26.2.2018 (Gazette 13.2.2018 p733)
2019
3
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) (Psychologists) Amendment Act 2019
11.4.2019
11.4.2019
2019
45
Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) Amendment Act 2019
19.12.2019
Sch 1 (cl 11)—1.1.2021 (Gazette 10.12.2020 p5638)
2023
4
Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio and Other Justice Measures) Act 2023
23.2.2023
Pt 6 (ss 9 to 11)—22.6.2023 (Gazette 15.6.2023 p1774)
2024
3
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) (Additional High Risk Offenders) Amendment Act 2024
29.2.2024
29.2.2024
2024
53
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024
21.11.2024
24.6.2025 (Gazette 5.6.2025 p1385)
Provisions amended
New entries appear in bold.
Entries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.
Provision
How varied
Commencement
Long title
amended by Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002
1.7.2017
Pt 1
s 2
omitted by Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002
1.7.2017
s 3
amended by 3/2024 s 2
29.2.2024
s 4
s 4(1)
s 4 redesignated as s 4(1) by 69/2017 s 18(3)
26.2.2018
Commonwealth Criminal Code
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(1)
26.2.2018
detainee
amended by 53/2024 s 3(1)
24.6.2025
extended supervision order
amended by 53/2024 s 3(2)
24.6.2025
home detention
inserted by 53/2024 s 3(3)
24.6.2025
medical practitioner
inserted by 3/2019 s 3(1)
11.4.2019
prescribed authority
inserted by 3/2019 s 3(2)
11.4.2019
prescribed health professional
inserted by 3/2019 s 3(2)
11.4.2019
psychologist
inserted by 3/2019 s 3(3)
11.4.2019
qualifying psychologist
inserted by 3/2019 s 3(3)
11.4.2019
relevant expiry date
amended by 53/2024 s 3(4)
24.6.2025
serious sexual offence
substituted by 53/2017 s 17
30.4.2018
amended by 53/2024 s 3(5)
24.6.2025
terrorism intelligence authority
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(2)
26.2.2018
terrorism notification
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(2)
26.2.2018
terrorist act
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(2)
26.2.2018
terrorist offence
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(2)
26.2.2018
terror suspect
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(2)
26.2.2018
youth
deleted by 53/2024 s 3(6)
24.6.2025
s 4(2)
inserted by 69/2017 s 18(3)
26.2.2018
s 4(3) and (4)
inserted by 53/2024 s 3(7)
24.6.2025
s 5
amended by 69/2017 s 19
26.2.2018
amended by 3/2024 s 3
29.2.2024
substituted by 53/2024 s 4
24.6.2025
s 5A
inserted by 69/2017 s 20
26.2.2018
s 6 before substitution by 53/2024
s 6(1)
s 6 amended and redesignated as s 6(1) by 69/2017 s 21(1), (2)
26.2.2018
s 6(2)
inserted by 69/2017 s 21(2)
26.2.2018
s 6
substituted by 53/2024 s 5
24.6.2025
Pt 2
s 7
s 7(2)
amended by 53/2024 s 6(1)
24.6.2025
s 7(3)
amended by 69/2017 s 22(1)
26.2.2018
amended by 3/2019 s 4(1)
11.4.2019
amended by 3/2024 s 4(1)
29.2.2024
amended by 53/2024 s 6(2)
24.6.2025
s 7(6)
amended by 69/2017 s 22(2)
26.2.2018
amended by 3/2019 s 4(2)
11.4.2019
amended by 3/2024 s 4(2)
29.2.2024
s 7(6a)
inserted by 53/2024 s 6(3)
24.6.2025
s 7(7)
inserted by 3/2024 s 4(3)
29.2.2024
s 8
s 8(1)
s 8 redesignated as s 8(1) by 69/2017 s 23
26.2.2018
s 8(2)
inserted by 69/2017 s 23
26.2.2018
s 9
s 9(1)
amended by 53/2024 s 7(1)
24.6.2025
s 9(3)
inserted by 53/2024 s 7(2)
24.6.2025
s 10
s 10(1)
amended by 46/2015 Sch 1 cl 9
1.7.2017
amended by 4/2023 s 9
22.6.2023
amended by 53/2024 s 8(1)
24.6.2025
s 10(5)
inserted by 53/2024 s 8(2)
24.6.2025
s 11
s 11(1)
amended by 4/2023 s 10
22.6.2023
s 11(2)
amended by 53/2024 s 9
24.6.2025
s 13
heading
amended by 53/2024 s 10(1)
24.6.2025
s 13(1)
amended by 53/2024 s 10(2)
24.6.2025
s 13(4)—(6)
inserted by 53/2024 s 10(3)
24.6.2025
s 13A
inserted by 53/2024 s 11
24.6.2025
s 14
s 14(2a)
inserted by 53/2024 s 12
24.6.2025
Pt 3
s 17
s 17(1)
amended by 4/2023 s 11
22.6.2023
s 18
s 18(2)
amended by 53/2024 s 13(1)
24.6.2025
s 18(4a) and (4b)
inserted by 53/2024 s 13(2)
24.6.2025
s 18(5a)
inserted by 69/2017 s 24
26.2.2018
Pt 3A
inserted by 53/2024 s 14
24.6.2025
Pt 4
s 19A
inserted by 69/2017 s 25
26.2.2018
s 21
amended by 3/2019 s 5(1), (2)
11.4.2019
s 22
s 22(1)
amended by 45/2019 Sch 1 cl 11
1.1.2021
amended by 53/2024 s 15
24.6.2025
s 22(3)
amended by 45/2019 Sch 1 cl 11
1.1.2021
s 22(4)
amended by 45/2019 Sch 1 cl 11
1.1.2021
Sch 1
omitted by Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002
1.7.2017
Transitional etc provisions associated with Act or amendments
Statutes Amendment (Terror Suspect Detention) Act 2017, Pt 4
26—Transitional provision
The amendments to the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 effected by this Act apply in relation to a person serving a sentence of imprisonment on or after the commencement of this Part (regardless of when the relevant offence was committed).
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) (Additional High Risk Offenders) Amendment Act 2024, Sch 1—Transitional provision
1—Application to offenders
The amendments to the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 enacted by this Act apply to an offender regardless of when they committed, or were sentenced for, the offence against section 241 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935.
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024, Sch 1
1—Transitional provisions
(1) Subject to subclause (2), an amendment to the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 made by this Act applies in respect of an extended supervision order made under the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 whether the order was made before or after the commencement of the amendment.
(2) An application or proceedings before the Supreme Court under the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 in progress and not finally determined by the Court at the commencement of this Act will remain to be determined by the Supreme Court in accordance with the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 as in force at the date on which the application was made or the proceedings commenced (as the case requires).
(3) Section 5 of the Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Act 2015 as inserted by this Act applies in relation to an offender who is serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of an offence regardless of when they committed, or were sentenced for, the offence.
Historical versions
1.7.2017
26.2.2018
30.4.2018
11.4.2019
1.1.2021
22.6.2023
29.2.2024