Prison system in crisis

The Liberals’ serial ineptitude and “tough on crime” policy decisions have pushed our prison system to crisis point, endangering both corrections staff and prisoners. The Liberals were repeatedly warned of the risks their policies posed to prison safety, and now the chickens are coming home to roost.

Extraordinary overcrowding and chronic staffing issues at Risdon Prison on the weekend culminated in the assault of a doctor and a corrections officer at the Royal Hobart Hospital. On Fathers’ Day, staff at Risdon were forced to initiate a full lockdown due to staffing shortages, meaning prisoners were not able to even call their families.

It’s a case of one step forward, two steps back for prison staff and community organisations who are working hard to support loving relationships between imprisoned dads and their children. A day as important as Fathers’ Day should have been planned for in advance, but Minister Barnett is more intent on locking people up than helping them reintegrate with families when they have done their time.

Minister Barnett has failed to plan for the inevitable increased need for staff at the prison, which comes as a direct result of their law and order policies. They have let Risdon Prison balloon to 122 prisoners over the last weekend, when the capacity is only 84.

The Hodgman Liberals have allowed the reoffending rate to jump dramatically under their watch, by failing to properly fund drug treatment programs, corrections and reintegration support. They are also utterly failing to support prison staff, with Risdon unable to fill 11 out of its required 63 positions on Sunday.

Minister Barnett needs to immediately recruit extra staff and review his ridiculous “tough” policies that are racking up huge costs while making Tasmanians less safe.
Rosalie Woodruff | Greens Corrections spokesperson