Community Corrections Bulletin to members 1 July 2015 (PDF version)
The Community Corrections Consultative Committee last met on 18 June 2015. The Committee is the forum where your union delegates and officials meet with management to discuss and determine the issues that affect you in your workplace. It is attended by the Assistant Commissioner Community Corrections, other relevant Directors, the Community Corrections Advisory Group and an Industrial Advocate from the PSA.
SMARTPOOL
Following a period of consultation with staff in 2014 at a number of pilot locations, Community Corrections will soon be implementing the SmartPool system for booking motor vehicles.
SMARTPOOL is a State Government initiative. The Assistant Commissioner acknowledged that the original “business rules” that dictated elements of SMARTPOOL were for HDB staff and are not suitable for Community Corrections locations. The AC is consulting with Enterprise Assets Division to see if this can be amended to better suit the business needs of Community Corrections. The training needs of staff are currently being identified, with affected staff being trained as the system is rolled out.
The availability of cars is often crucial to the work of our members. Please let your local delegate know if there are any problems in the use of the new system.
Recruitment and talent pools
From February 2015, talent pools have replaced the old eligibility lists to fill vacant positions. The talent pools are not ranked and the PSA is concerned that without appropriate controls, use of talent pools may be open to abuse and will produce unfair results.
We have been informed that there will be two bulk recruitments for Community Corrections Officers each year – one in February and the other in August. The talent pools created from each recruitment would then be used to fill vacancies as they arise. Management is unsure at this stage how long each talent pool will last, although the new laws allow for a maximum duration of 12 months.
The bulk recruitment will then provide for 4 Academy intakes each year.
Taking of samples from offenders for urinalysis
While the issue of Community Corrections Officers taking urine samples from offenders was not raised at the Joint Consultative Committee, it remains a matter of concern for the PSA. The Advisory Group has placed a ban on members undertaking this work, even on a voluntary basis, as it is outside of duties and there is no safe system of work in place.
The PSA would like to know how widespread the practice is. If you have any information, please contact the following delegates: