A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses home leave for long-term prisoners and the components essential for successful release, with the Minister confirming agreement with the Department of Justice's view on reducing recidivism.

AnsweredQoN 515Legislative Council
Asked
30 August 2001
Portfolio
Justice and Legal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the minister’s answer to my question without notice regarding measures to assist long-term prisoners’ successful release from prison. (1) What are the components of home leave under sections 87 and 94 of the Prisons Act 1981? (2) What does the Department of Justice regard as the components essential for successful release, and why? (3) Does the minister share this view of his department? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
(1) What are the components of home leave under sections 87 and 94 of the Prisons Act 1981? (2) What does the Department of Justice regard as the components essential for successful release, and why? (3) Does the minister share this view of his department? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
(2) What does the Department of Justice regard as the components essential for successful release, and why? (3) Does the minister share this view of his department? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
(3) Does the minister share this view of his department? Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
(1) Sections 87(3) and 87(4) of the Prisons Act provide for short-term leave in the 12 months prior to the release date for the purposes of visiting a friend or relation.  Leave must not be more than 12 hours per month in the first six months.  In the following three months, it is restricted to not more than 12 hours per fortnight.  In the final three months, leave is approved according to departmental policy, which currently provides for increasing weekly periods of leave to a maximum of 36 hours per week.  Section 94 refers to release for the purposes of community work, charitable or voluntary work, work associated with the operation of the prison, sport, religious observance, or any other activity.  This applies to people who will be at minimum risk to the security of the public.  While participating in section 94 activities, the prisoner is placed in the charge or under the supervision of a prison officer.  The period may vary from very short excursions to temporary residence at approved work camps. (2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
(2) For a successful release from prison, the components that the department sees as essential are good community or family support; access to satisfactory living accommodation; a lowered risk of reoffending due to completion of relevant programs; and financial security through Centrelink payments or employment.  The reasons the department favours such components are that they are factors that contribute to reducing recidivism. (3) Yes.
(3) Yes.

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