Page 4412 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Whilst in detention, under the supervision of Corrective Services officers, detainees will undertake voluntary work for the community. This will represent an addition to the already successful community service order scheme operated by ACT Corrective Services, which allows offenders to make a positive contribution to the community affected by their offences. Detainees on periodic detention orders will also participate in educational programs designed to address the causes of their offending behaviour.
There are also economic benefits in providing this sentencing option to the court where suitable offenders may have otherwise been sent to gaol for their offences. It has been calculated that the cost per bed in the periodic detention centre will be approximately $83 per day. This compares with the cost to the ACT to detain a prisoner in a New South Wales gaol of around $140 per day. Apart from the economic advantage, it is widely accepted that prison has detrimental effects not only on offenders but also on their families and employment and, in some cases, increases the social problems that contributed to their offending behaviour. Periodic detention allows suitable offenders to maintain their families and community and employment links, whilst receiving a significant punishment for their offences and participating in programs that benefit the ACT community. It also provides participants with the opportunity to access agencies which may assist them with their rehabilitation needs during the week.
A suitable building, the old Quamby youth centre, will be converted to accommodate the periodic detention centre, at a cost of $200,000, with operational costs of $260,000 in 1994-95 and $285,000 in 1995-96. Initial site inspection has confirmed that little repair or modification is required to the existing building to convert it to the new facility. Substantial liaison work has been undertaken with representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to ensure that the overall refurbishment addresses their concerns and accords with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. As well, specific units will be modified in accordance with this consultation.
The introduction of periodic detention is the first step in increasing the range of sentencing options available to magistrates and judges in the ACT to deal appropriately with those who have committed offences in the Territory. This initiative is, however, only part of the Government's overall strategy to improve all stages of the justice process in the ACT, whether this be the development of appropriate court facilities, the introduction of police diversionary schemes or the introduction of the voluntary court attendance scheme, which has reduced the delay in bringing criminal matters before the court. This Government will continue to consult widely to ensure that justice services are progressively reviewed and improved in order to meet the needs and expectations of the ACT community. Madam Speaker, I commend the Bill to the house. I table the explanatory memorandum to the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .