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The State Government has foreshadowed a major reform program for the criminal justice system in the Kimberley. Justice Minister Michelle Roberts announced on Tuesday the development of a wide-scoping custodial management plan for the Kimberley. Mrs Roberts said the plan would address issues such as the location and design of future prison facilities, the use of prisoner work camps in the Kimberley, the management of dangerous prisoners and offender rehabilitation needs. "Our government is committed to boosting community safety and clearly there has to be major changes to our approach to crime and punishment in the region," she said. "The Kimberley has its own unique issues in relation to its prisoner population and we need to ensure that our custody plan targets issues such as alcohol related crime and domestic violence." |
Mrs Roberts will chair the taskforce and other members will include Local Member Carol Martin, Margaret Quirk, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Justice, the inspector of custodial services, Professor Richard Harding and the Director General of the Department of Justice Alan Piper. Releasing a summary of initial research completed by the Department of Justice , Mrs Roberts said any custodial planning needed to reflect the specific needs of the Kimberley and provide a blueprint for the future. "The Kimberley community needs to be confident that the right mix of custodial services are available to not only deliver the sentences of the courts but to put offenders through sound rehabilitation programs before they are released," she said. |
In making the announcement, Mrs Roberts applauded the efforts of the Mrs Martin, who was instrumental in the creation of the task force. "Carol has taken an active interest in the future prison needs of the region and I am delighted to say that thanks to her efforts, both the immediate and future correctional needs of the Kimberley will be fully and comprehensively addressed," the Minister said. Mrs Martin welcomed the development of the Kimberley Custodial Plan as one of a wide range of measures being implemented by the government to reduce crime, rehabilitate offenders and provide appropriate custodial services. |