Prison drug unit closure ‘disaster’

LABOR claims the State Government has abandoned prisoners needing treatment with the temporary closure of one the Tasmanian Prison Service’s main drug and alcohol programs.

Shadow corrections minister Ella Haddad said the closure of the Apsley Unit at Risdon Prison until mid-May reduced treatment options for the state’s prisoners.

The statement follows a Mercury report that questions were raised by lawyers and Magistrates in open court this week about whether staffing shortages were to blame for issues in the justice system.

The Mercury reported on Wednesday that Magistrate Sharon Cure learnt midsession from defence and prosecution lawyers on Tuesday that the Apsley Unit was closed.

Defence lawyer Fran McCracken told Magistrate Cure one of her clients was not getting the treatment he needed in prison because of ongoing “lockdowns” and the closure of the drug unit.

Ms McKracken said “everyone” was having to deal with the same problems. “It is having a significant affect on them,” she said.

Magistrate Cure told Ms McCracken the closure was a “disaster” for her client.

“Apsley Unit is one of the very important parts of the prison,” she said.

“That might have been a constructive thing. I’ve said on many occasions I think it should be increased.”

A Department of Justice spokesman told the Mercury the closure of the Apsley Unit was in no way related to staffing shortages.

“The program requires a thorough evaluation to ensure it is operating effectively and it has been temporarily put on hold to allow this evaluation to take place,” they said.

“However, the nine affected prisoners are receiving ongoing support and their engagement in treatment continues on a one-to-one basis while the residential program is on hold.”

Ms Haddad said it was “bad enough that the unit is open to so few inmates, who upon completion are released back into the general prison population without post-program support, leaving them vulnerable to relapse”.