By LSJ Staff -
The NSW Attorney General has requested the Department of Communities and Justice conduct a review of the use of Connect Global residential rehabilitation facility operating in Swan Bay NSW.
A number of concerning allegations have been made in respect of Connect Global, including that clients of the facility are not provided with appropriate alcohol and drug interventions by qualified professionals, and that supervision is inadequate, enabling clients to use alcohol, have unrestricted access to mobile phones and the internet and leave the facility contrary to bail conditions.
Connect Global is used as a facility for people subject to an accommodation requirement imposed as a condition of bail under section 28 of the Bail Act 2013. In light of these allegations, we remind legal practitioners of their professional obligations to act in the best interests of their client and to ensure due diligence is exercised when making submissions about the adequacy of residential rehabilitation facilities and the suitability of bail conditions.
The Law Society of NSW notes that NSW Health publishes a list of NSW Health funded alcohol and other drug withdrawal management and residential rehabilitation facilities on the NSW Health website, available here.
Any allegations of criminal activity at Connect Global, or any other residential rehabilitation facility in NSW, should be directed to NSW Police.
