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Inmates squeezed into NSW jails as prisoner numbers hit record high Inmates squeezed into NSW jails as prisoner numbers hit record high
(4 months later)
New South Wales prison authorities considered laying mattresses on the floor at one facility and are cramming three prisoners into cells at others, as the state’s jails creak under the weight of soaring prisoner numbers.New South Wales prison authorities considered laying mattresses on the floor at one facility and are cramming three prisoners into cells at others, as the state’s jails creak under the weight of soaring prisoner numbers.
Documents obtained by the state’s Labor opposition reveal that the Department of Corrective Services is preparing to squeeze another 742 inmates into the system by doubling and tripling up prisoners in cells at more than 15 facilities across NSW.Documents obtained by the state’s Labor opposition reveal that the Department of Corrective Services is preparing to squeeze another 742 inmates into the system by doubling and tripling up prisoners in cells at more than 15 facilities across NSW.
In the next month there will be an extra 60 beds installed at the John Morony correctional complex in north-west Sydney, 57 at Grafton and 32 at the Silverwater women’s prison.In the next month there will be an extra 60 beds installed at the John Morony correctional complex in north-west Sydney, 57 at Grafton and 32 at the Silverwater women’s prison.
Goulburn correctional centre will get an additional 74 prisoners when its single-bed cells are converted to two beds, while an unused wing at the Supermax prison will be opened for an extra 36 high-security male inmates.Goulburn correctional centre will get an additional 74 prisoners when its single-bed cells are converted to two beds, while an unused wing at the Supermax prison will be opened for an extra 36 high-security male inmates.
Crime statistics released on Thursday showed the NSW adult prison population grew by 9% between April 2015 and March this year, to a new record high of 12,390 inmates.Crime statistics released on Thursday showed the NSW adult prison population grew by 9% between April 2015 and March this year, to a new record high of 12,390 inmates.
The population has increased by 15% in the past two years, largely due to the growth in the number of prisoners on remand that followed changes to the state’s bail laws in May 2014.The population has increased by 15% in the past two years, largely due to the growth in the number of prisoners on remand that followed changes to the state’s bail laws in May 2014.
The director of the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (Bocsar), Dr Don Weatherburn, said the new laws had led to a sharp increase in the number of defendants refused bail at their first appearance.The director of the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (Bocsar), Dr Don Weatherburn, said the new laws had led to a sharp increase in the number of defendants refused bail at their first appearance.
“Since more than half of all remand prisoners end up receiving a prison sentence, the rise in the bail refusal rate is one of the factors putting upward pressure on the NSW prison population,” he said.“Since more than half of all remand prisoners end up receiving a prison sentence, the rise in the bail refusal rate is one of the factors putting upward pressure on the NSW prison population,” he said.
Labor’s corrections spokesman, Guy Zangari, said jamming three maximum security prisoners into a cell was “a recipe for disaster”.Labor’s corrections spokesman, Guy Zangari, said jamming three maximum security prisoners into a cell was “a recipe for disaster”.
“Violence is already escalating inside prison walls due to overcrowding,” he said.“Violence is already escalating inside prison walls due to overcrowding,” he said.
A damning April 2015 report by the NSW custodial inspector, Dr John Paget, found the state’s prisoners had the second-highest reoffending rate in the country, spent the least time out of their cells and that 82% of prisoners were in jails outside their home regions.A damning April 2015 report by the NSW custodial inspector, Dr John Paget, found the state’s prisoners had the second-highest reoffending rate in the country, spent the least time out of their cells and that 82% of prisoners were in jails outside their home regions.
The NSW premier, Mike Baird, has made reducing the reoffending rate by 5% a key goal of his first elected term in office.The NSW premier, Mike Baird, has made reducing the reoffending rate by 5% a key goal of his first elected term in office.
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The corrections minister, David Elliott, said the record prisoner numbers were a challenge for the system.The corrections minister, David Elliott, said the record prisoner numbers were a challenge for the system.
“This working document shows Corrective Services is in constant discussion with the union about ways to increase short-term capacity while maintaining the safety and security of staff and inmates,” a spokeswoman said.“This working document shows Corrective Services is in constant discussion with the union about ways to increase short-term capacity while maintaining the safety and security of staff and inmates,” a spokeswoman said.
“The NSW government has delivered more than 2,800 additional beds since March 2014 and is progressing plans to build a new prison in Grafton and expand Parklea.”“The NSW government has delivered more than 2,800 additional beds since March 2014 and is progressing plans to build a new prison in Grafton and expand Parklea.”
Elliott announced in March that jails that failed to cut reoffending rates among their prisoners risked being taken over by private operators.Elliott announced in March that jails that failed to cut reoffending rates among their prisoners risked being taken over by private operators.