[Greens-Media] Greens: Locking up children doesn't add up

[David Shoebridge]

MEDIA RELEASE - 18/10/10
Greens MP and Police and Juvenile Justice spokesperson David Shoebridge
today called on Police Minister Michael Daley to give further details on
incidents of police assaults on young people, and demanded immediate
action. 
The information was revealed in answers to Questions on Notice asked by
Mr Shoebridge in Budget Estimates last month. (Daily Telegraph 18/10/10
p9.)
"NSW has a responsibility to protect and nurture our youth. Instead we
are increasingly guilty of harming them.
"At least five young people are included in these wrongful arrests.
Three of them were assaulted by police.
"NSW has one of the highest rates in Australia of young people in gaol.
>From 2006 to 2008 this number increased by 40 per cent.
"The government must learn that locking children up doesn't work.
"The evidence is in – detaining juveniles kick starts a cycle of
poverty, disadvantage and incarceration.
"Of the over $2.7 million in settlements for unlawful arrests made in
2009-10, the vast majority, involving $2.4 million, was made for
unlawful arrests including assault.
"These are just the cases where the wrongfully accused or assaulted
sought compensation. The real cost to individuals could be staggering.
"On average, each of these settlements is costing the NSW taxpayer over
$120,000. This does not include the additional costs of the wrongful
detention in the first place. 
"Putting to one side the waste of police resources each time an
unlawful arrest is made, NSW taxpayers then spend $556 a day to keep
each juvenile in custody.
"If nothing else, the economic costs of wrongful arrest and locking up
young people should lead to the government taking action, because the
personal and social costs certainly aren't," Mr Shoebridge said.

Media Contact: Mark Riboldi 0433 753 376
 
 
David Shoebridge
Greens MLC
NSW Parliament
PH: (02) 9230 3030
FX: (02) 9230 2159
www.davidshoebridge.org.au