CAMPAIGN TO STOP WOMEN'S PRISON
<apologies for any duplicate postings>
! URGENT REQUEST!
<Please distribute widely>
SEND A BRIEF FAX TO MINISTERS SHAW AND DEBUS
TODAY 12 AUGUST TOMORROW 13 AUGUST
BOB DEBUS
MINISTER FOR CORRECTIVE SERVICES
PH: 02 9289 1444
FAX: 02 9281 1115
JEFF SHAW
ATTORNEY GENERAL
PH: 9228 7777
FAX: 9228 7301
Dear Colleague,
As you may be aware, there are plans to build a new $42 million dollar
women's prison in New South Wales. A group of concerned community
organisations and individuals are meeting with the Minister for Corrective
Services on the 12th of August to voice our opposition. We ask like-minded
people to sign and fax the accompanying letter, or compose one of your own,
and fax it to the office of Bob Debus and Jeff Shaw on the 11th or 12th of
August to coincide with the meeting.
Our basis for opposition is:
The Government has previously committed itself to reducing the number of
women in prison and instead implement a wide range of alternatives.
Instead, the number of women in prison has increased 48% since March 1998.
About 80% of women are imprisoned for non-violent property, fraud and
mainly addiction related offences and most of those currently imprisoned
are likely to reoffend.
Indigenous women now make up some 25% of all women prisoners in NSW.
60% of women offenders have children, the majority of whom are sole parents.
Alternatives to imprisonment have proven successful in other jurisdictions
in saving taxpayers' money, reducing recidivism and making communities safer.
We are seeking an immediate fair and inclusive inquiry process to consider
viable and cost-effective alternatives to prison for women offenders which
benefit the whole community. More jails are not the solution.
From a coalition of community groups and politicians concerned with women,
families, children, health, ethnic and indigenous issues, drug dependency,
social and criminal justice and prisons.
Call any of the following numbers for further information:
02 8250 5582 (message bank) 02 9564 2722 02 9514 2916
Please fax us a copy of your letter(s) to:
Prisoners Aid Association at 9564 1643 (fx)
---------------------<separator>---------------------
Fax to: 9281 1115 Hon Bob Debus, NSW Minister for Corrective Services
9228 7301 Hon Jeff Shaw, Attorney General of New South Wales
Dear Minister,
I/We strongly oppose the Government's announced intention to build a new
women's prison. We request that you and your Cabinet colleagues suspend
the planning and contract process and convene an immediate fair and
inclusive inquiry to consider viable and cost-effective alternatives to the
imprisonment of women, consistent with Labor Party policy and the
recommendations of numerous parliamentary committees.
Imprisonment has been consistently proven to be ineffective in terms of
rehabilitation and any rise in the number of prison beds will accelerate
the 48% rise in the imprisonment of NSW women since March 1998. The $42
million dollars allocated to construct a new women's prison at Windsor
could be far more effectively spent on alternatives to prisons and on
rehabilitation programs which focus on personal and community social health
for women offenders.
Expenditures in non-custodial areas, consistent which your commitment to
use imprisonment for women only as a last resort, will provide far better
outcomes for women, for their children and families, and for the wider
community.
We draw you attention to Labor Party policy documents issued prior to the
1995 and 1999 elections. You acknowledged that full time sentences for
women were most often inappropriate and particularly in cases of less than
six months. You committed to place a far greater reliance on alternatives
to prison such as community services orders, periodic and home detention
and could also include restorative justice models, alternative to
incarceration centres, bail houses and healing centres, transitional
centres and integrated lifestyles support and drug rehabilitation programs.
Despite this clear commitment, there have been no legislative changes in
this area. Rather than constructing a new prison, the solution requires a
whole of government and community approach. The Government must live up to
its promises in this policy area and progress cannot be achieved by any one
Minister or Department.
I/We urge you to halt plans to construct the new women's prison and engage
in a formal process of review and costing of alternatives across all of
government and with interested and informed members of the
community. There are far more effective ways to utilise $42 million dollars.
Sincerely,
August 11, 1999
><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><
Positive Justice Centre
Mulawa Project for Women
02 9514 2916
><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><
* Advocacy * Community * Policy *
* Support * Reform * Restoration *
In Criminal Justice & Prisons
><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><
LMB 18, Suite 317, 353 King Street
Newtown NSW 2042 Australia
MessageBank: 02 8250 5582
Fax: +61 2 9664 3094
><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><
--
Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html
Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop
Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink
Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
