MEDIA RELEASE - 9 Feb Prisoner transport under scrutiny

MEDIA RELEASE

DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE (WA)

9 February 2010

Prisoner transport under scrutiny

Under new arrangements detained persons will be transported by coach nonstop from Geraldton to Roeborne Regional prison – handcuffed to their seats.

Deaths in Custody Watch Committee spokesperson, Marc Newhouse said, “While we welcome the decision to stop using the substandard Carnarvon Lock Up as a holding post for prisoners being transported between Perth and the Greenough, Broome and Roebourne prisons, it is completely unacceptable that prisoners be driven 17 hours nonstop from Grenough to Roebourne prison handcuffed to their seats.”

“This is clearly another breach of the Department of Corrective Services duty of care which was fatally demonstrated in the death of Mr. Ward. It is also a breach of Australia’s human rights obligations.”

“We call on the Minister of Corrective Services to transport these prisoners by air transport forthwith.  The cost difference is likely to be negligible.”

Media Contact:          Marc Newhouse (spokesperson), Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA), 0415 074 602.