The Premier's announcement of 1000 new spaces for prisoners is irresponsible government behaviour. His statement that more prison capacity will reduce crime is misleading, and panders to ignorance and fear, while the policy does the exact opposite of what it claims.New South Wales has the highest rate of recidivism in Australia at 44% and rising. This means that at least 44% of the new prisoners will commit more crimes within two years of their release.
The Premier also claims that the investment in new prisons will create jobs in rural economies. However, if the $1 billion were spent on health and education, it would reduce crime, and give a boost to rural economies by raising the number of skilled, healthy workers.
Money spent on prisons in NSW has been proven over and over to be money thrown down the drain.
Not only does the recidivism rate show that the Department of Corrective Services is failing in its own vision of, "Contributing to a safer community through excellence", but the net widening effect of building more prisons was acknowledged in 1994 by the Department's own Women's Action Plan:
"...the provision of increased access to correctional facilities in country areas may create a net widening phenomenon resulting in the courts sending more women to prison who may otherwise have received non-custodial sentences.
There is a strong body of opinion that in spite of oft stated support for a reductionist approach to women in prison, if additional places were provided, particularly in country areas, they would inevitably be filled." (p. 48)
Contact: Stacy Scheff, Brett Collins after hours: 0438-705-003
Justice Action
65 Bellevue St, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia
P.O. Box 386, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
ja@justiceaction.org.au
voice: 612-9660 9111 fax: 612-9660 9100
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By Justice Action 17 May 05
Related:
Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report
Prison Action and Reform is dedicated to progressive reforms in criminal justice and to the humane treatment of inmates in our prison system.
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Critical Resistance - Sydney
Just a reminder message about the meeting this Wednesday, if any of you are able to come down after BBA meeting. Apologies about the clash of days, definitely not intended. It seems great minds think alike!
