MEDIA RELEASE   20 JULY 2000

Unanimous decision: No more women prisoners

Justice Action today called on the NSW Minister for Corrective Services,
Bob Debus to abandon plans to build a new women's jail at Windsor after
the Upper House Select Committee on the Increase in Prisoner Population
called for a moratorium on women's cells.

The Committee received one hundred and thirty eight submissions from a
range of individuals and organisations. "Only one submission supported the
building of the new jail and that was from the Department of Corrective
Services. This clearly shows their intention to take money to build their
empire despite the system's failure. The community is now saying we want
schools, hospitals and better social support not more jails" said Kilty
O'Gorman, spokesperson for Justice Action.

"We call for the unanimous recommendations of the committee, including the
wider use of social solutions to be immediately implemented" said Brett
Collins, spokesperson for Justice Action.

"If Minister Bob Debus does not respect the unanimous recommendations of
the Committee he is effectively negating the process of wide community
consultation and logical decision outside of the law and order rhetoric"
said Kilty O'Gorman of Justice Action.

"Prisons have failed. They are horrendously expensive both in monetary and
social terms. Now it is up to Mr Debus to ensure the community-based
options are utilised" said Brett Collins of Justice Action.


For further comment please contact:
Brett Collins 0414 705 003 or Kilty O'Gorman 9281 5100


justice
ACTION
PO Box 386, Broadway, NSW 2007       Ph: 02 9281 5100 Fx :02 9281 5303
[EMAIL PROTECTED]         www.justiceaction.org.au


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