Jail

Jail (gaol) is considered a penalty of last resort.
A court may not sentence you to imprisonment unless it is satisfied, having considered all possible alternatives, that no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate.

A court that sentences you to imprisonment for six months or less must indicate to you, and make a record of, its reasons for doing so, including:

• Its reasons for deciding that no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate, and
• Its reasons for deciding not to make an order allowing you to participate in an intervention program or other program for treatment or rehabilitation (if you have not previously participated in such a program in respect of the offence for which the court is sentencing you).