Jail reform long overdue

FAMILY outside wishes to respond to the full-page advertisement (Northern Territory News, September 10) by the NT Prison Officers' Association.

Our organisation was formed because of a desperate need to facilitate change in NT prisons and expose bias against basic human rights.

We support progressive prison officers, the need for adequate staffing and decent attitudes, and believe the best way to avoid repeat offenders and thus lower the costs of the prison system is by genuine rehabilitation.

"Correctional Services" must mean just that.

Does the government's Healthy Communities plan also include the jail system?

We will hope so. The prison system has been neglected for far too long.

The lack of rehabilitation from past neglect is truly appalling. We want genuine rehabilitation/education for all citizens entering the prison system. We want them to come out better equipped to integrate into society.

We don't want to see any more prisoners dumped back at the prison front gate and returning to society more damaged than before.

The CAYA report is the best thing that has happened in attending to all these issues.

Mr Tolstrup, the department, and Minister Toyne, have the full support of Family Outside to improve the system.

We urge them to continue to implement the review. This includes better staffing and funding as genuinely required, and the implementation of all 71 recommendations.

Nelly Riley
Secretary
Family Outside

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Fri, 16 September 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Nelly Riley (letter to the editor)
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283