A PUSH to establish a halfway house for young aboriginal men leaving prison is one step closer after a show of support from the Department of Corrective Services.
Bunbury’s Noongar elders group brought the idea forward last month, amid concerns there is inadequate support for prisoners re-entering the community – resulting in a cycle of incarceration.
A spokesperson for the department, which is responsible for Bunbury Regional Prison, told the Bunbury Mail that an initiative to house prisoners on release would get their support.
“Transition from prison back into the community maximises the chances of long term rehabilitation, reducing [repeat offending] and enhancing community safety,” the spokesperson said.
Of 299 male-only adults currently incarcerated in the prison, 61 are aboriginal.
Local elder Dennis Jetta, who makes weekly visits the prison as a chaplain, said many prisoners wanted to stay locked up.
“Plenty of guys tell me there is no support when they are coming out, which I think is true,” Mr Jetta said.
“A lot of them are too frightened to come back to the community, especially long-term guys, because they think there is nothing for them [on the outside] – they say ‘here I’ve got three meals a day, I’ve got work to do and a bed’.”
The elders group first raised the idea of a local halfway house five years ago, but the community opposed having ex-prisoners living close by.
Mr Jetta said choosing an appropriate location was vital, but the broader community needed to be more understanding.
“I think [they] should be made aware that prisoners go through programs and parole processes before they can come out,” he said.
The push comes after corrective services minister Joe Francis condemned re-offending rates in WA as “far too high.”
“Most prisoners are expected to return to society when they’re released, so preventing re-offending through rehabilitation programs is the most effective way to cut crime, improve public safety, and reduce the cost to taxpayers,” Mr Francis said.
An adult in custody costs the state an average of $345 per day.
Mr Jetta said the next step would be meeting with department, magistrates and prison support workers.
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