Media Release
The true cost of implementing the Attorney-General’s fanatical
law and order agenda can’t be measured in money alone, says Shadow
Police and Corrective Services Minister, Bill Byrne.
“The budget papers reveal that it is not just taxpayers who are paying for the mandatory sentences, longer terms of imprisonment and flawed anti-bikie laws introduced by the Newman Government,” said Mr Byrne.
“In pure cash terms it is a heavy price indeed. The cost of running the prison service has risen by $245.3 million in one year."
“As the prison population has rocketed, so has the cost of looking after inmates, many of whom could have been punished and rehabilitated more effectively and more cost-efficiently with non-custodial sentences.
“Equally concerning is the physical cost being paid by prison officers."
“As the number of inmates has ballooned to record levels, beyond the safe capacity, assault rates against corrective services staff have soared."
In the year to June 1 2014, the prison population increased by more than 1,000 to 7,222, well beyond the number of permanent beds (6,832) in Queensland’s jails.
“Throughout the year I have, as Shadow Minister, continued to warn that the Attorney-General’s ill-considered policies and failure to plan for the consequences, placed frontline prison staff at unacceptable risk."
“They are the ones who are left to manage angry, disaffected criminals who are forced to share their cells and who are being locked up for longer periods without access to rehabilitation programs."
“Sadly the Attorney-General has arrogantly ignored all warnings as he has sought to portray himself as a tough-guy."
“Inevitably the number of assaults and serious assaults by prisoners on officers has sky-rocketed, as has the number of assaults and serious assaults by prisoners on prisoners.”
“The budget papers reveal that it is not just taxpayers who are paying for the mandatory sentences, longer terms of imprisonment and flawed anti-bikie laws introduced by the Newman Government,” said Mr Byrne.
“In pure cash terms it is a heavy price indeed. The cost of running the prison service has risen by $245.3 million in one year."
“As the prison population has rocketed, so has the cost of looking after inmates, many of whom could have been punished and rehabilitated more effectively and more cost-efficiently with non-custodial sentences.
“Equally concerning is the physical cost being paid by prison officers."
“As the number of inmates has ballooned to record levels, beyond the safe capacity, assault rates against corrective services staff have soared."
In the year to June 1 2014, the prison population increased by more than 1,000 to 7,222, well beyond the number of permanent beds (6,832) in Queensland’s jails.
“Throughout the year I have, as Shadow Minister, continued to warn that the Attorney-General’s ill-considered policies and failure to plan for the consequences, placed frontline prison staff at unacceptable risk."
“They are the ones who are left to manage angry, disaffected criminals who are forced to share their cells and who are being locked up for longer periods without access to rehabilitation programs."
“Sadly the Attorney-General has arrogantly ignored all warnings as he has sought to portray himself as a tough-guy."
“Inevitably the number of assaults and serious assaults by prisoners on officers has sky-rocketed, as has the number of assaults and serious assaults by prisoners on prisoners.”
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