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Court Integrated Services Program (CISP)

The Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) was established in November 2006 by the Department of Justice and the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, to assist in ensuring that defendants receive support and services to promote safer communities through reduced rates of re-offending. The program currently operates at the Latrobe Valley, Melbourne and Sunshine Magistrates’ Courts.

CISP aims to:

• provide short term assistance before sentencing for defendants with health and social needs
• work on the causes of offending through individualized case management support
• provide priority access to treatment and community support services
• reduce the likelihood of re-offending.

The CISP provides:

• A multi-disciplinary team-based approach to the assessment and referral to treatment of defendants.
• Three levels of support based on the assessed needs of the client; this may include case management for up to four months.
• Referrals and linkages to support services including drug and alcohol treatment, acquired brain injury services, accommodation services, disability and mental health services, as well as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer.

Eligibility criteria:

• Any party to a court proceeding can access the CISP by way of referral, including applicants, respondents and defendants from all jurisdictions of the Magistrates’ Court, such as the Family Violence Division.
• The defendant is on summons, bail or remand pending a bail hearing.
• The program is available to defendants regardless of whether a plea has been entered or whether they intend to plead guilty or not.
• Defendants must provide consent to be involved in the program.

Referrals to the CISP can be made by the police, legal representatives, magistrates, court staff, support services, family, friends, or the person themselves.  When referring a person to the CISP, please use the CISP Referral Form - available from the Forms and Publications panel on the right of this page.

Further information is available from the CISP brochure, the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria Guide to Court Support & Diversion Services or by contacting the relevant court.