❓ Mr Hort questions the Premier's investment in prisons, citing overcrowding and early releases. The Premier defends the government's investment and explains early release practices.
AnsweredQoN 733Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Corrective Services—Prisons
733. Mr Adam Hort to the
Premier:
I refer to the
government's complete failure in corrective services, which has led to drug
traffickers, violent offenders and paedophiles receiving reduced sentences and
other criminals being released early from jail due to overcrowding in prisons.
Why has the Premier failed to properly invest in prisons to avoid jeopardising
community safety?
733. Mr Adam Hort to the
Premier:
I refer to the
government's complete failure in corrective services, which has led to drug
traffickers, violent offenders and paedophiles receiving reduced sentences and
other criminals being released early from jail due to overcrowding in prisons.
Why has the Premier failed to properly invest in prisons to avoid jeopardising
community safety?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question. Of course, Western Australia is experiencing significant
population increases. In fact, between 2016 and 2024, WA's population grew by
17%. This growth, as well as growth in the number of family and domestic
violence and other offenders being locked up, means that our prisons are
increasingly under pressure. My government continues to invest strongly in our
prison system. We have invested $426 million in youth detention since mid-2022.
This includes our recent $147 million commitment for a new detention facility
in Perth to replace unit 18 at Casuarina Prison. In terms of adult detention,
we have invested $181 million to expand Acacia Prison, and we are training
prison officers at a record rate to ensure that our prisons remain
appropriately staffed.
In relation to early
release, I am advised that this is an operational practice that has been
available to the Department of Justice for decades and, indeed, is a practice
that is conducted in every other state and territory. Prisoners must meet
strict criteria, including being within 30 days of their sentence ending, to be
considered for early release. Any prisoner who represents a risk to community
safety is kept behind bars, and that is the important principle. It is my
expectation and the public's expectation that those who pose an unacceptable
risk to the community are not considered for release.
for the question. Of course, Western Australia is experiencing significant
population increases. In fact, between 2016 and 2024, WA's population grew by
17%. This growth, as well as growth in the number of family and domestic
violence and other offenders being locked up, means that our prisons are
increasingly under pressure. My government continues to invest strongly in our
prison system. We have invested $426 million in youth detention since mid-2022.
This includes our recent $147 million commitment for a new detention facility
in Perth to replace unit 18 at Casuarina Prison. In terms of adult detention,
we have invested $181 million to expand Acacia Prison, and we are training
prison officers at a record rate to ensure that our prisons remain
appropriately staffed.
In relation to early
release, I am advised that this is an operational practice that has been
available to the Department of Justice for decades and, indeed, is a practice
that is conducted in every other state and territory. Prisoners must meet
strict criteria, including being within 30 days of their sentence ending, to be
considered for early release. Any prisoner who represents a risk to community
safety is kept behind bars, and that is the important principle. It is my
expectation and the public's expectation that those who pose an unacceptable
risk to the community are not considered for release.
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