Spence: New laws to stop prisoners making profit from prison time
Published Tuesday, 25 November, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence today introduced a Bill into Parliament to prevent prisoners profiting from their time in prison.
Ms Spence said the Corrective Services (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill addresses concerns by victims of crime that offenders may profit by selling artwork while in they are prison.
“Changes to the Bill will prevent private sales of artwork done by prisoners.
“Prisoners cannot charge a fee for service or sell artwork through a gallery otherwise they will be liable for an offence.
“Since I launched a Prisoner Art website in September 2007, over $9,000 has been raised by the sale of donated prisoner artwork.
“The funds raised by the website, has been provided to various charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Prison Fellowship, and a small amount retained by the centres to fund further art programs.
Ms Spence said other changes to the Bill include limiting the amount of money that can be held in prisoner trust accounts, to prevent money being used for the wrong purposes.
“The proposed changes will see a cap placed on the amount in a prisoner’s trust account so they will not be pressured by other inmates to pass substantial amounts of money on, or to transfer to another account, including bank accounts on the outside.
“Also, the Bill will include new provisions which extend the time period in which parole boards have to make a decision from 120 days to 180 days.
“Parole boards will have 180 days to make a decision and a further 30 days if they decide to defer the decision to obtain further information.
“This ensures that parole boards have the flexibility they need to decide complex applications and the courts have the ability to review a decision to ensure it is fair and reasonable.
Ms Spence said the Bill also abolishes resettlement and re-integration leave.
“Queensland Corrective Services has made enormous improvements to offer a range of programs that address key integration needs of prisoners.”
Ms Spence said the Bill makes a number of important amendments to the Corrective Services Act 2006 to ensure that Queensland continues to meet the challenges of supervising offenders and maintaining community safety.
For further information about the Prisoner’s Artwork Website visit www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
ENDS
Media contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Ms Spence said the Corrective Services (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill addresses concerns by victims of crime that offenders may profit by selling artwork while in they are prison.
“Changes to the Bill will prevent private sales of artwork done by prisoners.
“Prisoners cannot charge a fee for service or sell artwork through a gallery otherwise they will be liable for an offence.
“Since I launched a Prisoner Art website in September 2007, over $9,000 has been raised by the sale of donated prisoner artwork.
“The funds raised by the website, has been provided to various charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Prison Fellowship, and a small amount retained by the centres to fund further art programs.
Ms Spence said other changes to the Bill include limiting the amount of money that can be held in prisoner trust accounts, to prevent money being used for the wrong purposes.
“The proposed changes will see a cap placed on the amount in a prisoner’s trust account so they will not be pressured by other inmates to pass substantial amounts of money on, or to transfer to another account, including bank accounts on the outside.
“Also, the Bill will include new provisions which extend the time period in which parole boards have to make a decision from 120 days to 180 days.
“Parole boards will have 180 days to make a decision and a further 30 days if they decide to defer the decision to obtain further information.
“This ensures that parole boards have the flexibility they need to decide complex applications and the courts have the ability to review a decision to ensure it is fair and reasonable.
Ms Spence said the Bill also abolishes resettlement and re-integration leave.
“Queensland Corrective Services has made enormous improvements to offer a range of programs that address key integration needs of prisoners.”
Ms Spence said the Bill makes a number of important amendments to the Corrective Services Act 2006 to ensure that Queensland continues to meet the challenges of supervising offenders and maintaining community safety.
For further information about the Prisoner’s Artwork Website visit www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
ENDS
Media contact: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218