[Greens-Media] (Hale MLC) Greens Win Support For Private Prisons Inquiry

Christopher Holley Christopher.Holley at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Wed Dec 17 16:37:53 EST 2008


The NSW Greens have won enough support from non-government parties to succeed in establishing a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed privatisation of Cessnock and Parklea prisons.

NSW Greens prisons spokesperson Sylvia Hale MLC welcomed the establishment of the inquiry.

Addressing a rally of several hundred prison officers, their families and community members at Cessnock today Ms Hale said:

The Greens initiated this inquiry because privatisation of prisons raises very serious ethical, social, financial and safety issues. 

Decisions like this should not be made behind closed doors and solely in response to the governments poor financial position. An open public inquiry is required to determine whether privatisation is in the long-term interest of the public as opposed to the short-term interest of the government. The effect on regional communities could be particularly severe if privatisation results in job losses, reduced pay and conditions for prison officers and reduced medical and rehabilitation services for prisoners.

Deriving profits from punishment regimes raises significant ethical issues for our society. Prisoners are removed from society for the purposes of deterrence and rehabilitation, not to be fodder for corporate profit. 

The government has an obligation to run the prisons system in the best interests of society. It should be part of a comprehensive strategy to deliver a safe community, including the provision of the services to prisoners that are required to minimise the risk of re-offending.

The inquiry will test whether here is any conclusive evidence that private prisons deliver genuine economic savings to the community There appears to be substantial evidence to suggest that private prisons are less safe, deliver fewer services and provide poorer outcomes for both prisoners and the wider community.  

The inquiry will be conducted by the state Upper Houses General Purpose Standing Committee No. 3 and will report by May 2009.


Further information: Chris Holley (02) 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546




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