[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Families the potential loser in prison announcement

[Greens]

Media Release
21 September 2006

Families the potential loser in prison announcement

While welcoming today's announcement of a significant investment to
upgrade sub-standard prison and youth detention facilities, Greens MLC
Mark Parnell says that moving prisoners away from Adelaide will make it
significantly harder for them to maintain contact with their families,
and reduce opportunities for rehabilitation.

"No one can dispute that Northfield and Yatala are in terrible
condition, with overcrowding and sub-standard facilities, but sending
prisoners an hour out of the city with virtually no public transport
will mean kids will have less chance to visit their mums and dads.

"The focus for the prison system must be on maximising opportunities for
rehabilitation and to minimise rates of re-offending.  There is clear
evidence that the more positive contact prisoners have with their
families, the less likely they are to go back to a life of crime," he
said.

Mark Parnell will call on the government to provide shuttle buses to and
from the new Murray Bridge prison.

"The government must provide transport options for families.  There is
already a precedent in Cadell, where OARS run a shuttle bus.  As a
minimum we expect a similar service on all visiting days, and for
transport options to be funded for prisoners taking up pre-release job
opportunities," Mark Parnell said. 

Also critical will be the construction of high quality 'family centres'
at each prison site to assist access and connection when families and
children visit.

"These prisoners must not be 'out of sight, out of mind', because the
more we as a society turn our back on them, the more we all suffer
through higher rates of crime and re-offending," he said.


For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893




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