The Andrews Labor Government has welcomed a landmark report by the Victorian Ombudsman that lays bare the failure of the previous government to manage the growth in our prisons.
The Investigation into the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Prisoners in Victoria makes 25 recommendations, all of which the Government and the Department of Justice and Regulation supports or supports in principle.
Reform of Victoria’s parole, sentencing and bail laws were necessary, but this report makes it clear that the previous Liberal Government failed to plan for its impact.
The prison population grew 25.8% in just three years from 2012-2014. This growth was unprecedented.
In January, Victoria recorded a record prison population of 6506.
Waiting lists for treatment programs became so long that some offenders finished their sentence before their turn came up.
And the percentage of released prisoners returning to jail within two years is now 44.1% - up from 34% in 2009.
The Ombudsman says: “…the rapid growth in numbers of people in the system and behind bars has overwhelmed the capacity to deliver consistent and effective rehabilitation or reintegration for prisoners.”
This is the legacy of the previous Liberal Government. It jeopardised community safety and it was unacceptable.
The person most responsible is the former Minister for Corrections and current shadow minister Ed O’Donohue.
Work is now under way to address many of the issues raised in the report. The Ombudsman notes several of our reforms.
In the 2015-16 Victorian Budget the Labor Government committed $333 million for more buildings to relieve the cramped conditions, and more health care, training and rehabilitation programs to help more offenders turn their lives around and keep the community safe.
The system shows early signs of repair, but there is more to be done. This includes tightening controls for serious sex offenders on supervision orders.
We will work across government and with the community to help prisoners with particular needs, whilst fixing the root causes of crime such as poor education and early learning, family violence and ice use.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Wade Noonan
“This government welcomes the Victorian Ombudsman’s report and its recommendations.”
“The unprecedented surge of prisoners has meant many offenders missed out on treatment and some left prison only to offend again.”
“Victorians are paying for the failure of the Liberals to reduce reoffending and keep our community safe.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021