LL:PR: Proposed Woorooloo Prison South

[Deaths In Custody Watch Commitee (WA) Inc.]

Deaths In Custody Watch Committee WA Inc


Wednesday, 25 November 1998
Media Release


$100,000 Death Charge Will Cause More "Cover-ups"


The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee attended a 
Ministry of Justice briefing on the new 750 bed Woorooloo 
Prison today and was shocked at some of the proposals 
put forward by the Ministry.


"It is outrageous for the Ministry of Justice to talk of 
making provision for 40% of the prisoners being 
Aboriginal, when the same Ministry has steadfastly refused 
to address the failure of its diversionary programs aimed 
at reducing Aboriginal juvenile custody rates, which in turn, 
leads to the over-representation in the prison system."  
Said Kath Mallott, Executive Officer of the Watch 
Committee.


"It is also of grave concern that there is every likelihood 
that the imposition of $100,000.00 penalties for deaths in 
custody, or escapes from custody, will result in more 
"cover-ups" within the prison system."


"Based on the requirements outlined in the "Request For 
Proposal" document there can be little doubt that the 
Woorooloo Prison South will be privately owned and 
operated on a profit-driven basis which could see a 
deterioration in the already inadequate services within our 
jails."


The Watch Committee is also concerned that there is no 
provision to appoint a fully independent Prison 
Ombudsman/Regulator, to monitor all WA prisons.  The 
proposal is that this position will be "semi-independent", in 
that it will come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of 
Justice.


"Based on the Ministry's recent history of denial of obvious 
problems within the prison system, the lack of 
implementation of the recommendations of the Royal 
Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody and the 
Ministry's continuing involvement in management of all 
other prisons in the State, it is absolutely unacceptable for 
the Ministry to take on the role of Ombudsman/Regulator 
of Prisons.  If there is to be any credibility then this 
position must be completely independent of the Ministry of 
Justice." Said Ms Mallott.


In keeping with the recommendations of the Royal 
Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody, the Watch 
Committee urges the Government to introduce legislative 
changes that will reduce imprisonment rates, rather than 
the proposed changes that will see even higher rates.


Media Contact:     Kath Mallott, Executive Officer

Phone: (08) 92771533 (work),  
0419930375 (mob)