Shadow Minister for Justice Greg Smith SC today called for an urgent review of home detention following revelations that cost cutting and Union work bans had left up to 200 criminals under house arrest largely unsupervised. 

“Today’s revelations once again show that it’s time for Morris Iemma and John Hatzistergos to conduct an urgent review of home detention,” Mr Smith said.
 
“Home detention has already been described as very lenient by appeal courts and today’s revelations show that under Labor it has become a ‘Get out of Gaol Free’ card,” he said.

“By starving the Corrective Services Department of sufficient funds and trained officers, the Government is endangering the community by inadequate supervision of criminals."

“When home detention was introduced it was not to be available for serious offenders such as murderers, rapists or convicted paedophiles."

“Yet detention and parole orders for such serious offenders when released into the community often have conditions akin to home detention, requiring close personal supervision by Corrective Service Officers and electronic bracelets which are supposed to be monitored."
 
“With recent work bans and cuts what assurances can the community have that serious offenders’ detention and parole orders will be enforced?"
 
“This is just another example of Labor’s agenda to cut spending in the criminal justice system, which will jeopardise the safety of our community."
 
“This Government made a great fuss about the advantages of home detention when they introduced it in 1996."

“The Minister for Justice, John Hatzistergos, should immediately ensure that adequate staffing and funding are made available to properly monitor these criminals and commence an urgent review of the home detention system,” Mr Smith said.