Unsentenced prisoners clogging up the system
VICTORIA’S jails are bursting at the seams, with data showing more than one in three inmates are awaiting trial.
Sentencing Advisory Board chairman Arie Freiberg said the number of accused on remand had risen to unprecedented levels over the past four years following tough on crime approaches on both sides of politics.
Corrections Victoria figures show the number of male unsentenced prisoners reached 2471 on June 30, an increase of 1424 on the same date four years ago.
Unsentenced prisoners make up 36 per cent of the prison population, an increase on the previous decade where remand prisoner numbers remained stable at about 18-20 per cent of the overall population.
Professor Freiberg attributed the rise to changes in bail laws pushed by the Government and Opposition following high-profile cases where violent offenders had reoffended on bail.
“The numbers are going “Two prison officers have had human faeces thrown over them by a prisoner. One officer has had some enter his mouth. Concerns about hepatitis exposure.” “A [redacted] female officer was pricked by a needle where a tattoo is done and seized from a
“Attempting to restrain a prisoner in a fight and was kicked in the head.”
“Assaulted by a prisoner.”
“Restraining prisoner, landed on elbow on floor, bruised and swollen elbow.”
“Restraining a prisoner from assaulting two officers and fell to the ground.”
“Punched in the head by prisoner during incident.” through the roof,” he said. “We are breaking records every day.”
Prof Freiberg said it had resulted in packed police cells, deteriorating prison conditions and an increased difficulty in getting prisoners to and from the courtroom. “The numbers show no sign of stabilising unless there is a change in the law and a change in attitude,” he said.
Victoria Legal Aid Geelong managing lawyer Shelley Buchecker said lawyers had seen more alleged offenders fail to get bail and an increase of prisoner. It has come to her skin between her left two middle fingers. She was taken to the medical centre and nurses treated her there. The staff member is to be assessed for blood test.” “A [redacted] male guard was punched in the left eye causing a fractured skull to the left of his
“Assaulted by a prisoner, punched in face, fell backwards hit head on table.”
“Gym workout doing shoulder shrugs.”
“Continuous use of R hand — turning keys, writing files, using keyboard.”
“Bent over to pick up dumbbells during gym.”
“Walking work dog, stopped to pick up dog faeces, dog pulled.” children being remanded.
Opposition corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue said a Coalition plan to introduce a prisonbased magistrate would reduce pressure on police cells, court wait times and prisoner movements.
Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney said record investment in thousands of extra police, and tougher bail and sentencing laws had led to more prisoners.
The Sentencing Advisory Council is currently conducting a major review into remand and sentencing. nose. IP taken to hospital by another staff member where he was admitted and may require surgery.” “Advised inmate has assaulted two guards resulting in one being sent to hospital for observation, no lacerations or fractures identified.”
“Bullying/harassment by colleague — normal working duties.”
“Dog bite when training in outdoor area.”
“Had discussion with manager and felt conversation was threatening.”
“Overwhelming pain in lower back due to sitting in office chair.”
“Slipped on raw sausage meat when walking up to stainless steel bench.” dents involving prisoners, and other workplace incidents that are unrelated to prisoner contact, such as slips, minor scrapes and other injuries.”
Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said overcrowding may have contributed to the “very high” number of injuries at Barwon Prison.
“(It) shows the stack and rack policies of the former government are having a long term damaging effect and their recklessness in not building new facilities before changing sentencing laws is causing longer term costs to the budget,” Mr Kennelly said.
“Overcrowding limits access to programs for prisoners, making them more unsettled and difficult to manage and there’s an excessive cost associated with calls to just lock everyone up,” he said.
Opposition corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue said the injuries were evidence that violent criminals didn’t respect the law when both in and out of jail.