DICWC response to Commissioner Ian Johnsons comments 9 Feb

“While the Commissioner may be ‘disappointed about the Watch Committee’s presumption’, history has taught us that organisations like ours need to be vigilant. “

“We very pleased to hear that detained persons being transported will not be handcuffed to coach seats and we welcome the Commissioner’s statement that they are considering using air transport.  Furthermore, we appreciate that there are ‘logistical challenges which cannot be solved overnight’ however these challenges need to be addressed promptly.”

“The call to use air transport is not new and has been recommended by the Inspector for Custodial Services and the Watch Committee on numerous occasions over a number of years.  The Watch Committee believes that if there are compelling reasons as to why air transport should not be used to transport offenders on journeys in excess of 2000 km, then those reasons should be made public.”

-Marc Newhouse (Spokesperson) DICWC WA Inc