This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/13/victorias-swelling-prisoner-numbers-cause-housing-transport-problems

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Victoria's swelling prisoner numbers cause housing, transport problems Victoria's swelling prisoner numbers cause housing, transport problems
(35 minutes later)
The system for transporting prisoners in Victoria is creaking under the weight of a swelling prison population, the state auditor-general has found. The system for transporting prisoners in Victoria is creaking under the weight of a swelling prison population, the state auditor general has found.
In a report published this week, the public sector watchdog found that a 66% increase in prisoner numbers in the past 12 years was putting “significant pressure” on the corrections system.In a report published this week, the public sector watchdog found that a 66% increase in prisoner numbers in the past 12 years was putting “significant pressure” on the corrections system.
As a result of overcrowding in jails, since June 2013 increasing numbers of prisoners have been housed in police cells attached to courts, and have to be transported when other prisoners are scheduled to appear before a magistrate.As a result of overcrowding in jails, since June 2013 increasing numbers of prisoners have been housed in police cells attached to courts, and have to be transported when other prisoners are scheduled to appear before a magistrate.
One prisoner tracked by the auditor-general last year was detained in 14 places, moved 40 times, and escorted between police cells and court 26 times.One prisoner tracked by the auditor-general last year was detained in 14 places, moved 40 times, and escorted between police cells and court 26 times.
The report found that prisoners were beginning to be turned away from scheduled court appearances because there was no space at the court to house them. Between September and December last year, about 618 prisoners had their appearances adjourned for this reason, it said.The report found that prisoners were beginning to be turned away from scheduled court appearances because there was no space at the court to house them. Between September and December last year, about 618 prisoners had their appearances adjourned for this reason, it said.
Michelle McDonnell, a spokeswoman for Smart Justice, a coalition of 29 organisations led by the federation of Community Legal Centres, said prisoners “are effectively being shunted around the state”, contributing to delays and a sense of “dislocation” that would exacerbate mental health issues.Michelle McDonnell, a spokeswoman for Smart Justice, a coalition of 29 organisations led by the federation of Community Legal Centres, said prisoners “are effectively being shunted around the state”, contributing to delays and a sense of “dislocation” that would exacerbate mental health issues.
She said prisoners were being kept in police cells long after the 14-day limit agreed by police and prison authorities, where they had “no access to light, or no access to education of rehabilitation resources”.She said prisoners were being kept in police cells long after the 14-day limit agreed by police and prison authorities, where they had “no access to light, or no access to education of rehabilitation resources”.
An ombudsman’s report in March found that overcrowding was increasing the risk of prisoners self-harming or hurting others.An ombudsman’s report in March found that overcrowding was increasing the risk of prisoners self-harming or hurting others.
The auditor-general’s report also found that more than one in four prisoners was being delivered late to court.The auditor-general’s report also found that more than one in four prisoners was being delivered late to court.
Correction Victoria had paid more than $800,000 in performance bonuses to the private contractor, G4S, which runs the system, but the report found “these incentives have not always enhanced performance”.Correction Victoria had paid more than $800,000 in performance bonuses to the private contractor, G4S, which runs the system, but the report found “these incentives have not always enhanced performance”.
Communication between the private contractor and police was also inadequate, resulting in 21 cases in the past six year of prisoners who posed a risk to each other being forced to travel together.Communication between the private contractor and police was also inadequate, resulting in 21 cases in the past six year of prisoners who posed a risk to each other being forced to travel together.
A spokesman for the Victorian corrections minister, Edward O'Donohue, said the spike in prisoner numbers was a result of parole reforms introduced after high-profile crimes such as the 2012 murder of Melbourne woman Jill Meagher.A spokesman for the Victorian corrections minister, Edward O'Donohue, said the spike in prisoner numbers was a result of parole reforms introduced after high-profile crimes such as the 2012 murder of Melbourne woman Jill Meagher.
"The Coalition government notes the deficiencies in the current prisoner transport contract identified by the auditor-general. That contract was signed in 2009 under the previous Labor government," he said."The Coalition government notes the deficiencies in the current prisoner transport contract identified by the auditor-general. That contract was signed in 2009 under the previous Labor government," he said.
"The findings [of the auditor-general] are being taken into account in the current tender process for a new contract. In particular, the cost structure will change to reflect the number of prisoner movements, rather than the number of prisoners in the system." "The findings [of the auditor general] are being taken into account in the current tender process for a new contract. In particular, the cost structure will change to reflect the number of prisoner movements, rather than the number of prisoners in the system."In its state budget last month, Denis Napthine’s Coalition government pledged $450m to fund 900 new prison places
In its state budget last month, Denis Napthine’s Coalition government pledged $450m to fund 900 new prison places
But McDonnell said it would cheaper to divert offenders away from the prison system where it was safe to do so, and focus more on the causes of crime.But McDonnell said it would cheaper to divert offenders away from the prison system where it was safe to do so, and focus more on the causes of crime.
“Ultimately, the way to increase efficiency [in the prison system] is to actually reduce prisoner numbers,” she said.“Ultimately, the way to increase efficiency [in the prison system] is to actually reduce prisoner numbers,” she said.