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THE State Government is Under fire over mismanagement of paroled prisoners, with a Parole Board member casting doubt over its ability to rehabilitate criminals. The Deputy Presiding Member of the Parole Board, Philip Scales, has written to Correctional Services Minister Terry Roberts, saying he would not seek reappointment when his term expires in December. He also has criticised the Government for not appearing to support the board. His letter raises several concerns, including a lack of Government investment and inadequate supervision which he says could make prisoners come out of jail "worse than they went in". He said the Government's tough on crime policy was "generally presented in the context of harsher sentences and expanding prisons, although such expansion has now been put on hold, with the result that prisoners' accommodation is in disarray". "There must be far more emphasis placed on appropriate treatment for prisoners and rehabilitation, otherwise they will come out worse than they went in and the community will suffer the consequences," he said. He said that although new money had been allocated to corrections, "it does not appear to be filtering through to the areas where it is needed". He also said that the Government had created a negative community impression of the board and a perception that it was "soft on criminals". "This is fostered by the perception that the board does not have the support of Government," he said. "The Government's comments in the media do not sit well with a considered approach to the problem of crime and the manner in which the board performs its work." As reported in The Advertiser on Saturday, prisoner parole applications are being delayed for up to six months, because the board is short of staff and resources. Board chairwoman Frances Nelson, QC, last week asked Correctional Services Minister Terry Roberts for more funds. Opposition correctional services spokesman Angus Bedford said improved community safety would come when punishment was backed by programs to help offenders reform. Premier Mike Rann went on the attack, saying: "I do not care which member of the Parole Board resigns, because we will not soften our position on law and order." Adelaide Advertiser (20-7-2004) Tom Richardson |
Relations Dive Further As Rann Denies Parole
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