“There is no doubt more case managers and community correction officers are required to ensure appropriate and proper management and supervision of those placed on community work orders,” Mr Waldron said.

“This lack of proper supervision and management means too many orders are not being carried out or undertaken in the intended way.”

Mr Waldron stressed the current situation was causing offenders to thumb their nose at the system and the effectiveness of the community service order was being lost.

“This is particularly so in country WA where the system is under more stress,” Mr Waldron said.

“It appears to be common knowledge among offenders ‘that if you don’t want to do a program move to a country area’. This needs to be corrected urgently.”

Mr Waldron also raised his concerns for the workload stress on the current supervising officers and he was also worried for their safety and that of the community.

“I strongly urge the Government to allocate funding and put in place more supervising staff as soon as possible, otherwise this excellent rehabilitation program will completely break down,” he said.

“The Government must not mislead the public by using the term ‘monitored’ to try and cover for unallocated cases.”

Mr Waldron noted the State Ombudsman had also raised his concerns on two occasions.

“This is a serious situation. I know the Minister is aware of it and she needs resourcing and Government support to put the situation right for the benefit of the community and the offenders themselves,” Mr Waldron said.