Broome lock up changes small part of larger picture

Thursday 25 February, 2016

Robin Chapple MLC, the Greens member for the Mining and Pastoral region, has acknowledged that the Broome police have made some positive changes in dealing with deaths in custody but there is still a long way to go before the problem is properly addressed.

“The changes brought upon by the Broome Police since 2012 are positive steps but we should recognise that the problem is much larger” Mr Chapple said.

“It is good to see staff increases, 24/7 dedicated custodial officers and cultural awareness training in Broome detention but the larger issue still needs governmental action.

“Indigenous people are overrepresented in Western Australian jails at an appalling level and we have a government avoiding the problem.

 “The WA Greens have been trying to push the government to eliminate mandatory sentencing, it’s a punitary flaw that disregards the role of detention as a last resort.

“We should also provide better indigenous services, develop justice reinvestment programs and implement the remaining recommendations of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

“We still have a long way to go.” 

 

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 9486 8255

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