A response from JusTas to the current discussion on increasing the Tasmanian prison population, 5th June 2017
Law and order debates have figured prominently in most of Australia’s State and Territory elections. Garnering the sentiment of popular opinion often precedes consultation with legal and social academics giving rise to decisions which sometimes lack depth in regard to evidence based political resolve.
Tasmania is facing a State election in 2018 so it is timely that the electorate questions whether the stated responses to the problem of crime by the incumbent and alternative governments are necessary.
Recently, the Government’s budget included a number of measures aimed specifically at increasing its capacity to incarcerate more people.
The alternative policy by Labor is to build another prison in the north of the state, again, increasing the prison population.
If a precursor to building more prisons demanded corresponding recourses to bolster reintegration programs, mental health programs, alcohol and other drug programs, governments may think twice before signing off on huge capital expenditure programs which are arguably unnecessary and involve long term recurrent funding to operate.
The Green’s alternative budget does not provide for increased prison capacity. It does provide for a number of measures to divert people from prison as well as resourcing post release support.
The backlog in Tasmania’s court system has created an unacceptable number of remandees in prison awaiting trial. Further complicating this, the under resourcing of diversion programs is creating more pressure on the prison system. Programs which are diverting potential prisoners to community based options are also under funded.
Following release from prison, the pathway back to the community is fraught with difficulties which have been exacerbated given the governments withdrawal of funding for accommodation and reintegration programs for returning citizens.
JusTas is currently preparing a detailed response and would welcome discourse with willing stakeholders to reframe this discussion in terms of how evidenced-based approaches can achieve better outcomes.
JusTas – Promoting justice, best practice and valuable outcomes for returning citizens and the community.
Justas.org
Pat Burton (MCrimCorr) Chair – JusTas: justas.org
