Provides secure and safe care of detainees while held in custody or transit;
Delivers programs and provides support services for detainees to minimise the negative consequences of custodial detention;
Promotes rehabilitative ideals; and
Detains a small number of illegal immigrants for the (Commonwealth) Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs on a cost recovery basis.
The Symonston Periodic Detention Centre:
Accepts detainees who are required to undertake community work between 12 and 104 consecutive detention periods (each period being two days), as determined by the courts.
Provides a prison alternative and has proved an extremely important sentencing option to the courts.