A ‘significant increase’ in inmate numbers at Risdon Prison has led to allegations of human rights laws being violated.
The revelations have surfaced during a parliamentary inquiry focused on the state’s criminal justice system, with the prison system accused of contributing to criminal activity and disadvantage in Tasmania.
TasCOSS CEO Adrienne Picone is among those who consider the prison system a ‘serious failure of government policy’.
“Rates of homelessness, alcohol and substance dependency, significant mental health issues and trauma are all high within the prison population,” Picone said.
Prisoners Legal Service Chair Greg Barns said “one in two prisoners” return to the prison “within two years”.
The Tasmanian Adult Imprisonment and Youth Detention Matters inquiry also exposed breaches of international human rights laws and Australian Correctional guidelines within Risdon Prison.
Reports of prisoners being subjected to extended periods of solitary confinement due to staff shortages and high incarceration rates are common.
There are calls for the criminal justice system to focus more on prevention, rehabilitation and community programs – as well as abolishing sentences shorter than six months.
“They get no support in the prison system because they’re not there for long enough time and there’s no evidence that they reduce recidivism,” Barns said.
