The Police Association of New South Wales (PANSW) welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement that additional prison beds will be made available at Dawn de Loas and Parklea Correctional Centres.
The latest BOCSAR data shows record numbers of people on remand in New South Wales, increasing pressure on police officers who arrest and manage bail-refused offenders, as well as corrections officers responsible for prisoners.
PANSW President Kevin Morton said the Association and its members welcomed the Government’s strong stance on domestic and family violence, together with additional resources to increase prison capacity.
“Our police are working harder than ever to crack down on domestic and family violence and enforce the stronger laws this Government has rightly introduced to make it harder for alleged offenders to get bail and keep those who pose a risk to the community off our streets.
“When someone is refused bail, it is our job as police to put them before the courts as quickly as possible. But when there aren’t enough beds available in correctional facilities, police officers can be left guarding bail-refused offenders in holding cells at police stations for extended periods.
“Police cells are not designed to hold prisoners for long periods. It takes police away from frontline duties and creates unnecessary risks for both officers and the people in their custody.
“Additional prison beds will allow the transfer of prisoners from police custody to corrections to happen more quickly, putting responsibility for prisoner management where it belongs.
“That means police can get back to their core job: protecting the community, responding to domestic and family violence and other crimes, and putting offenders before the courts.
“If we are serious about keeping dangerous offenders behind bars and protecting the community, the capacity of our correctional system needs to keep pace with the laws police are being asked to enforce.”
The PANSW has worked closely with the Government on these issues and will continue to advocate strongly for the resources and support our members need.