Corrective Services imprisoned

By Janet Parker

SYDNEY -- Employees of the Department of Corrective Services here were imprisoned for an hour by demonstrators barring the entrance to their offices on September 30. The protest, organised by Justice Action, was held to draw attention to the alarming rate of suicide attempts and acts of self-harm by women in NSW prisons.

Conditions in Mulawa women's prison are reaching crisis point. In the first seven months of this year, 101 incidents of harm and mutilation by the inmates have been recorded. This compares to 317 incidents for the entire NSW prison population -- though women are only 5% of prisoners.

Justice Action is calling for the immediate implementation of a crisis centre at Mulawa -- as recommended by the Waller Report almost 12 months ago. While the ombudsman's inquiry into conditions at Mulawa has been going for two months, no commitment has been made.

If minister for justice John Hannaford and the commissioner for corrective services do not make such a commitment within one week, the campaign will be stepped up and regular pickets held.

For more information, Justice Action can be contacted on (02) 281 5100. n

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