Mrs BRAHAM - 2008-04-30
I wrote to you earlier this month and I still do not have a reply, so that is why I am asking the question today. At a meeting we held of representatives of different organisations in Alice Springs recently, one of the organisations mentioned that prisoners on release from Darwin are repatriated back to their communities, but prisoners on release in Alice Springs are not. I want you to clarify for me exactly what the process is for prisoners who, in fact, are released from the Alice Springs gaol. I would also like you to inform me whether the idea of a halfway house, which has been floated for a long time, is going to be implemented in Alice Springs to help prisoners readjust to civilian life?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. There is, obviously, a policy of the Northern Territory Correctional Services in relation to repatriation. Essentially, if a prisoner has served the full term of their sentence, they are offered repatriation. However, this is purely on a voluntary basis. They cannot be forced to go back to their place of residence, say; where the crime was committed or where they live.
If, for instance, prisoners are released on a bond or there are conditions of their parole, it is mandatory that they are repatriated to the community identified as their residence. I will read the policy of Correctional Services in relation to this matter. It says:
The policy is there. In Darwin, prisoner services staff are responsible for determining if prisoners want or must be repatriated home, and book the necessary travel. You are correct to some extent, member for Braitling. In Alice Springs, the prisoner services staff have a less direct involvement in the repatriation process. Travel is primarily organised by administration staff. That is something that needs to be addressed, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention, member for Braitling. The department assures me that that situation will change and there will be more attention paid to this process. There are difficulties, of course. Some communities have very little in the way of commercial transport. With the collapse of some of the regional airlines in Central Australia it does become problematic. However, it is an issue that I undertake - in this House, and in my correspondence back to you - will be addressed.
In terms of halfway houses and that sort of thing, obviously, in Darwin Bill Somerville is doing a fantastic job with OARS. I visited their facility in the rural area a couple of weeks ago. Government has injected some funding. I consider what is happening there very significant. I commend OARS and Bill Somerville for the work they are doing. It is early days, though I expect they will significantly boost their effort.
There is also a need in Alice Springs and other regional centres for this sort of program. I have telegraphed that government is prepared to look at such facilities and programs at a regional level, including Alice Springs.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. There is, obviously, a policy of the Northern Territory Correctional Services in relation to repatriation. Essentially, if a prisoner has served the full term of their sentence, they are offered repatriation. However, this is purely on a voluntary basis. They cannot be forced to go back to their place of residence, say; where the crime was committed or where they live.
If, for instance, prisoners are released on a bond or there are conditions of their parole, it is mandatory that they are repatriated to the community identified as their residence. I will read the policy of Correctional Services in relation to this matter. It says:
- All prisoners are to have the opportunity of repatriation after discharge from prison in order to facilitate a prisoner’s return to a place of residence, place of arrest or other approved place.’
The policy is there. In Darwin, prisoner services staff are responsible for determining if prisoners want or must be repatriated home, and book the necessary travel. You are correct to some extent, member for Braitling. In Alice Springs, the prisoner services staff have a less direct involvement in the repatriation process. Travel is primarily organised by administration staff. That is something that needs to be addressed, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention, member for Braitling. The department assures me that that situation will change and there will be more attention paid to this process. There are difficulties, of course. Some communities have very little in the way of commercial transport. With the collapse of some of the regional airlines in Central Australia it does become problematic. However, it is an issue that I undertake - in this House, and in my correspondence back to you - will be addressed.
In terms of halfway houses and that sort of thing, obviously, in Darwin Bill Somerville is doing a fantastic job with OARS. I visited their facility in the rural area a couple of weeks ago. Government has injected some funding. I consider what is happening there very significant. I commend OARS and Bill Somerville for the work they are doing. It is early days, though I expect they will significantly boost their effort.
There is also a need in Alice Springs and other regional centres for this sort of program. I have telegraphed that government is prepared to look at such facilities and programs at a regional level, including Alice Springs.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016