NATIONAL REPORT SHOWS QLD JAILS AMONG BEST IN AUSTRALIA

A national report shows Queensland jails remain among the most secure in Australia, the most cost effective to run per prisoner and provide the best chance against prisoners re-offending, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said.

Ms Spence has welcomed today’s release of the Report on Government Services 2007, saying Queensland Corrective Services continues to perform well when compared to its interstate counterparts.

Ms Spence said the report showed in 2005/06:

• There were no escapes from secure custody in Queensland or most other jurisdictions;
• Queensland had the lowest recurrent cost per prisoner per day in all prison categories. In secure correctional centres it cost $161.40 per day, compared to the Australian average of $189;
• For the second year in a row, Queensland had the lowest overall recidivism rate in Australia.

“Queensland prisons compare very well internationally, so it’s no surprise that our corrective services system continues to score highly on a national scale as well,” Ms Spence said.

“The report also shows that we are even improving on our own record from previous years.

“Last year, the number of prisoners in Queensland who returned to prison within 2 years fell three per cent when compared to 2004-05, from 30.6% to 27.6%.

“This figure is the lowest in the country, with the national average sitting at 38.3%

“For the first time since 1980, there were no unnatural causes of death in custody.

“Our investment in security continues to pay off –there has not been an escape from secure custody since February 1998 – and we are also investing in rehabilitation.

“Last financial year the Beattie Government spent $59.9 million on rehabilitation, including prison industry activities and sex offender treatment programs.”

Ms Spence said the report showed Queensland was continuing to strike the right balance between secure and humane containment.

“Queensland has the third highest rate of imprisonment for all prisoners at 177 people per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 156.4,” Ms Spence said.

“Yet, we are achieving the lowest overall rate of prisoners returning to our prison system.

“With a massive 142% growth in prisoner numbers in Queensland since 1993, and a further 90% growth forecast in the next ten years, we are continuing to plan for the future.”

Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218