A NEW report from Victoria’s auditor-general proves strong evidence that the state’s criminal justice system is failing in the face of prisoners with mental health problems.
The report, released yesterday, recommends a raft of changes to systems of dealing with prisoners with mental health, including that police report on the time prisoners with mental illness are in cells before transfer to prison.
It is timely for an assessment of strategies to deal with mental health issues in the wake of an increased focus and understanding of the issue in the community generally.
It’s even more heightened in the scheme of the judicial system, where studies have shown up to 40 per cent of prisoners have a mental illness.
As much as the community will see the justice system as a means to punish those who do wrong, it must also take responsibility for ensuring that there are pathways to aid rehabilitation.
Clearly, in the past, there has been no significant focus on this connection. And the result shouldn’t be treating criminals with kid gloves. But there must be greater recognition of the influence and impact understanding mental illness can have in more positive sense within the system.
The auditor-general’s inquiry and subsequent report is a responsible step forward in the process.
Election priorities must
become commitments
The launch of the Central Highlands Councils Regional Investment Plan at Parliament House last night is another strong endorsement of the priorities for the region in the lead-up to the state election.
With multiple marginal state seats encompassing the Central Highlands region, it is vital that an opportunity to sell major projects is not lost. Included in the plan is the Grampians Peak to Peak Walking Trail, the Ballarat Bio Economy Centre, Ballarat Railway Station Precinct, Parwan Employment Zone, Stawell Underground Particles Physics Laboratory and the Upgrade to Western Highway – all projects requiring further investment to bring to full fruition.
We’ve seen much debate about the need for government investment; let’s hope the plan can help turn that into real commitments.
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