Soundmask has installed many systems in government tribunals and justice facilities. Today we’re going to explain the benefits and give some examples of use.

Why do tribunals need masking?

Government tribunals are primarily part of the administrative justice system. Similar to courts, tribunals decide matters like social security disputes, guardianship orders, and other sensitive matters that require speech privacy.

Unlike courts, the spaces are generally smaller. This means that sound can travel between the spaces or leak from the spaces more easily. Similarly, justice facilities like parole offices are often confined and require speech privacy. Sound masking is a cost effective solution to these situations.

Administrative Review Tribunal

The Administrative Review Tribunal reviews decisions made by Australian Government agencies, departments and ministers. These reviews include taxation, veteran’s affairs, social security, child support and more. In contrast with court-based decisions, these involve private matters that must be kept confidential.

Soundmask installed systems throughout the Tribunals. This ensured that confidential reviews could not be overheard between the rooms, or outside in the hallways. This ensures that the ART complies with its privacy obligations.

Mental Health Tribunal

The Mental Health Tribunal reviews decisions in respect of people who have been placed on “compulsory treatment orders”. Communications within the tribunal are considered to be health information and must remain private.

Often the MHT hearings are located in small rooms within a psychiatric facility. This means that in such quiet spaces any speech, especially raised voices, are audible. Soundmask’s systems have been used to improve speech privacy and reduce distractions from outside the room.

Community Justice centres

The Departments of Justice have Community Justice centres throughout each state. Offenders on parole must regularly visit the community justice centre for staff to check in on their progress.

While speech privacy is important, staff safety is paramount. This is why a Soundmask system was chosen. Installed throughout the Victorian Community Justice centres, Soundmask’s systems improved speech privacy while being set low enough for emergency alerts or raised voices to be heard.

Conclusion

Soundmask’s systems are used throughout government tribunals and facilities where a cost effective solution to speech privacy is required.