❓ Question on Notice regarding Aboriginal women's incarceration rates in WA, strategies to reduce them, and agreement with a previous statement calling the rate an 'international disgrace'.
AnsweredQoN 1063Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding Aboriginal women in prison, and in light of the former Justice Minister’s comments to Parliament two years ago stating that the Aboriginal incarceration rate was an international disgrace -
(1) Does the Minister agree with the comments of the former Minister?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Is the Minister aware that approximately 60 percent of women in custody in Western Australia are Aboriginal, and that more than half of these are in prison for non-payment of fines?
(4) What strategies, if any, does the Minister have to reduce the number of Aboriginal women incarcerated?
(1) Does the Minister agree with the comments of the former Minister?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Is the Minister aware that approximately 60 percent of women in custody in Western Australia are Aboriginal, and that more than half of these are in prison for non-payment of fines?
(4) What strategies, if any, does the Minister have to reduce the number of Aboriginal women incarcerated?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 May 2005
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Justice
Response time
22 days
(2) Not applicable (3) The Department of Justice advises that as at 31 March 2005, 52% of the population of women imprisoned were Aboriginal. Of the Aboriginal women imprisoned 7% were for non payment of fines. (4) The Department of Justice's Aboriginal Justice Program Steering Committee has been established to develop, coordinate and oversee outcomes that will improve the situation of Aboriginal people within the justice system. The Department of Justice is also implementing Aboriginal Justice Agreements throughout the State and undertaking an inquiry into Sentencing, Law Enforcement and Penalties in Remote and Regional Areas.
(3) The Department of Justice advises that as at 31 March 2005, 52% of the population of women imprisoned were Aboriginal. Of the Aboriginal women imprisoned 7% were for non payment of fines. (4) The Department of Justice's Aboriginal Justice Program Steering Committee has been established to develop, coordinate and oversee outcomes that will improve the situation of Aboriginal people within the justice system. The Department of Justice is also implementing Aboriginal Justice Agreements throughout the State and undertaking an inquiry into Sentencing, Law Enforcement and Penalties in Remote and Regional Areas.
(4) The Department of Justice's Aboriginal Justice Program Steering Committee has been established to develop, coordinate and oversee outcomes that will improve the situation of Aboriginal people within the justice system. The Department of Justice is also implementing Aboriginal Justice Agreements throughout the State and undertaking an inquiry into Sentencing, Law Enforcement and Penalties in Remote and Regional Areas.
(3) The Department of Justice advises that as at 31 March 2005, 52% of the population of women imprisoned were Aboriginal. Of the Aboriginal women imprisoned 7% were for non payment of fines. (4) The Department of Justice's Aboriginal Justice Program Steering Committee has been established to develop, coordinate and oversee outcomes that will improve the situation of Aboriginal people within the justice system. The Department of Justice is also implementing Aboriginal Justice Agreements throughout the State and undertaking an inquiry into Sentencing, Law Enforcement and Penalties in Remote and Regional Areas.
(4) The Department of Justice's Aboriginal Justice Program Steering Committee has been established to develop, coordinate and oversee outcomes that will improve the situation of Aboriginal people within the justice system. The Department of Justice is also implementing Aboriginal Justice Agreements throughout the State and undertaking an inquiry into Sentencing, Law Enforcement and Penalties in Remote and Regional Areas.
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