NCJ Number
63150
Journal
Legal Service Bulletin Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 111-116
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A CRITIQUE IS PRESENTED OF THE AUSTRALIAN ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT ON PRISON CONDITIONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978 TO INQUIRE INTO AND REPORT UPON THE GENERAL WORKING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. IT EXAMINED THE DEPARTMENT'S POLICIES, FACILITIES, AND PRACTICES IN RELATION TO CONTEMPORARY PENAL PRACTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF CRIME AND ITS CAUSES. IT ALSO EXAMINED PERSONNEL ISSUES. THE COMMISSION'S REPORT RECOMMENDED THE FIRING OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR CORRECTIVE SERVICES, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF HIS ATTEMPT TO COVER UP PRISON ABUSES, THE CLOSING OF A PRISON WHOSE PHYSICAL FACILITIES ARE IN THEMSELVES INHUMANE, AND A HOST OF REVISIONS OF PRISON POLICIES RELATING TO THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF PERSONNEL, INMATE PROGRAMS, AND CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATION. THE COMMISSION, HOWEVER, REJECTED THE NOTION THAT IMPRISONMENT IS AN INEFFECTIVE AND OUTMODED APPROACH FOR DEALING WITH CRIME AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. THE REFORMS PROPOSED ARE REITERATIONS OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF PREVIOUS COMMISSIONS, AND THE NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN LITTLE INCLINATION TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED. THE REPORT DOES OFFER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM, NOTABLY THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT, THE EXPANDED USE OF WORK RELEASE, AND SELECTIVE RATHER THAN GENERAL IMPRISONMENT FOR NONPAYMENT OF FINES. (RCB)