Inquiry into the Transportation of Detained Persons

MEDIA RELEASE
Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA) 
27 Moore St, East Perth, Western Australia 6004

Tel:  0415074602

www.deathsincustody.org.au    E-mail: newbone@bigpond.com

The current and former Inspector of Custodial Services will be providing evidence to the Legislative Council Public hearings for Inquiry into the Transportation of Detained Persons tomorrow from 10.15am.

Ms MacKay, Chair of the Committee said ‘We have provided extensive submissions for reform to this Office to the Inquiry this year and to the Attorney General in 2009. DICWC are calling for enforcement powers, so reasonable standards in the delivery of custodial services can be enforced which reflect community expectations about safety in prisons. Enforcement powers will be more reliable at stopping preventable deaths in custody than proposals for ‘show cause notices’ which will not immediately prevent unsafe practices.

‘If enforcement powers existed in 2001 when the Office formally raised serious concerns with the safety of vehicles used (as in the Ward case), it is likely that Mr Ward would not have died as the Office would have been empowered to enforce reasonable standards immediately’.

 ‘We hope this Office has had time to consider our proposals and will now look favourable upon then. We have faith that the Inquiry will consider a range of amendments to legislation as a result of this Inquiry, including enforcement powers.’

End of release

Media Contacts:  Marianne Mackay (Chair) 0401 320047 or Marc Newhouse 0415 074602 (Deputy Chair)