How long can I be separated for?

Short-term separation in your own cell without a separation order should not last for more than 24 hours.

When a separation order is being made, the initial separation time must not be for more than 7 days. This comes from the Sentence Management Manual PM 3. The Sentence Management Division (SMD) can then extend the separation order by up to 30 days at a time. Before the SMD extends an order, they must consider:

• Any medical and psychiatric condition/s you have
• If you are under 18, your age, your best interests and your vulnerability

Separation under a separation order can finish when one these things happens:

• The date comes that was chosen by the SMD for the order to expire
• If the separation was short-term management reasons, you have been returned to your normal routine before a review by the SMD
• The Sentence Management Panel makes a decision about your classification
• A Corrections Victoria staff member acting on behalf of the Secretary authorises the suspension of separation
• Your full Loss of Privileges from a disciplinary hearing (up to 30 days) expires
• If the separation was because of self-harm risk, a health professional from the High Risk Assessment Team (HRAT) or a Risk Review Team (RRT) has assessed that the risk is no longer present and you have been returned to your normal routine