Lawyers slam state’s jail fail

Call for judges to consider issues

JUDGES should be taking the shortcomings of the Tasmanian prison system into account when handing down sentences, lawyers say.

The Australian Lawyers Alliance said that a leaked draft report by the Custodial Inspector found opportunities for prisoner rehabilitation are non-existent.

ALA state president Sebastian Buscemi said sentences needed to reflect the particularly harsh environment and the lack of opportunities for prisoners to reform.

“We are very concerned about the issues raised in the draft report by the Custodial Inspector in relation to the Tasmanian prison system,” he said.

“Sentencing decisions in Tasmania need to consider the lack of rehabilitation opportunities available to prisoners and the harshness of the frequent lockdowns.

“Many of the issues outlined in the draft report are related to widespread staffing problems, from difficulty recruiting appropriate staff, workers injured on the job and workplace bullying.”

Custodial Inspector Richard Connock has made 64 recommendations to fix bullying, nepotism, poor training, skyrocketing overtime, a shocking rate of worker injury claims, lax management and record keeping, poor communication and rostering, and poor staff morale.

Mr Buscemi said the community expected better.

“These are serious and concerning issues that are having a negative impact on the staff and their families, but also affect the wider he said.

“Staff shortages have resulted in unjust lockdowns for prisoners and limit the opportunity for rehabilitation programs. The lack of effective rehabilitation will result in an increase of repeat offenders.”

Acting Attorney-General and Corrections Minister Michael Ferguson said the government had done much work to improve things in prisons.

“Under our government, there has been considerable investment in both correctional staff and infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said the government had also expanded the range of sentencing options to keep offenders out of prison where appropriate, such as the introduction of home detention and electronic monitoring. prison population,”