Comments attributable to Cecily Rosol MP, Greens spokesperson for Corrections and Children
The Greens welcome the Liberals’ decision to axe the northern prison plan – something we’ve been fighting for years. Another jail was never the answer to a corrections system at breaking point.
The Liberals’ tough on crime policies are the cause of overcrowding at Risdon Prison, which was their rationale for opening a northern prison.
Instead of locking more people up and building more jails, we should be diverting them from the prison and trying to reduce recidivism. All the evidence says sending people into prisons only increases the likelihood of reoffending. Instead, we need a therapeutic approach to justice which supports people’s rehabilitation.
It’s extremely concerning to hear about further delays to the closure of Ashley Youth Detention Centre. The longer it takes to close, the greater the risk to young people.
We have genuine fears this announcement is the beginning of the Liberals using their terrible budget management as an excuse for inaction on closing Ashley. That is the worst possible outcome. The Commission of Inquiry was urgent and clear – to keep children safe, the government must close Ashley as soon as possible.
If the Liberals are truly committed to honouring the COI’s top recommendations, and the “prudent and effective use of public funds”, they’d abandon their plans to build an unneeded billion-dollar stadium and close Ashley now.
Comments attributable to Tabatha Badger MP, Member for Lyons
We’ve been fighting with communities in Westbury to Deloraine against the northern prison plan since it was announced. We celebrate the community’s hard work in standing for a better justice system and fighting for the Meander Valley.
The first community campaign to stop a prison being built at Brushy Creek Rivulet, with what would have been a huge loss of natural values and impacts on residents, was a massive, and ultimately successful effort. The second, and final campaign for the costly demolishing then rebuilding of the Ashley site has now also been won.
