12/11/04
Prisoners under the previous Liberal Government were given free entry to the Royal Show, crewed on ocean sailing trips and were released to attend quiz nights, according to Justice Minister Michelle Roberts.
Mrs Roberts said that during an eight-year term under the Liberal government, prisoners also played golf, attended barbecues and were invited to Art Galleries.
"This is a total disgrace and Opposition leader Colin Barnett has tried to cover up his former Government's appalling record on prison management," she said.
"These outrageous activities were approved by the former Attorney General Peter Foss, who virtually turned the justice system into a prisoner playground. Put simply, we have had to clean up their mess."
Mrs Roberts today slammed the Liberal Party for distributing misleading advertising about the Government's record on prisoner activities.
The Minister said the Liberal Party was desperate to bury its abysmal record on managing the State's prison system.
"They not only released prisoners on a free-for-all, but their disastrous management also led to riots in which 21 prison officers were hospitalised," she said.
"In one eight-month period, more than 70 prisoners escaped.
"In desperation, the Liberal government resorted to privatisation of the prison system because they could not cope.
"In stark contrast, through our Government's sound economic management, we have injected more than $50million into the prison system.
"We were also the first Government to review prisoner recreational activities and slash back on the excesses of the former government."
Mrs Roberts said the achievement of the Gallop Government in addressing many of the long-standing problems of the Justice System had been recognised by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services.
"In a recent media release, he described WA's prison system as now being one of the best in Australia," she said.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
