Townsville Bulletin

JUSTICE CREW TO DISPEL MY THS

- MADURA MCCORMACK

WHAT happens after a person commits a crime, gets arrested, charged, found guilty and heads to prison?

Quite a bit, according to leading members inside Townsville Police and the Queensland Corrective Services, most of which the public don’t get to hear about.

In a bid to dispel myths and manage community expectatio­ns, police and corrective services staff are launching an initiative at Stocklands Shopping Centre today from 10am.

Police and corrective services representa­tives will be on hand as part of Brew with the Justice Crew.

“I think it’s important the community knows there is a level of collaborat­ion between the agencies to keep the community safe,” said Queensland Corrective Services manager of regional operation for probation and parole Marthisa Andrews.

“These community events allows us to be better informed about managing those community expectatio­ns and how the community views us.”

QCS cultural developmen­t officer Dean Saunders said there were many things the public did not understand about the prison system.

“Prisoners don’t just sit in there and do nothing,” he said. “It’s about programs and employment, about working with probation and parole.

“There’s a process they go through, we don’t just put them back out on the street.”

Cross cultural liaison officer Senior Sergeant Steve Batterham said the plan was to hold these public meetings regularly.

The next one will likely be held in the new year.

Brew with the Justice Crew is at Muffin Break, Stocklands Shopping Centre today from 10am to 11.30am.

 ?? Picture: EVAN MORGAN ?? SHEDDING LIGHT: QCS cultural developmen­t officer Dean Saunders, probation and parole regional operations manager Marthisa Andrews and Sen- Sgt Steve Batterham.
Picture: EVAN MORGAN SHEDDING LIGHT: QCS cultural developmen­t officer Dean Saunders, probation and parole regional operations manager Marthisa Andrews and Sen- Sgt Steve Batterham.

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