31 March 2009

The prison now has prisoners

| johnboy
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[First filed: March 30, 2009 @ 18:49]

John Hargreaves is trumpeting the stellar achievement of getting prisoners into the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

    “Prisoners will be transferred to the AMC incrementally, beginning with prisoners currently held in ACT correctional facilities, followed by ACT sentenced prisoners in New South Wales. I am advised that all transfers should be completed within the next few months.

    “By having a staged prisoner intake process it allows for appropriate prisoner placement and an opportunity for staff to refine operations.

Open by the end of March too (by the skin of his teeth).

And now the fun really starts.

UPDATED: Jeremy Hanson is unkindly pointing out how we all came to be here:

    The ACT Government’s rush to accept prisoners into the Alexander Maconochie Centre today while security defects continue to plague the facility marks another chapter in an embarrassing saga for the embattled Corrections Minister John Hargreaves, Shadow Minister for Corrections Jeremy Hanson said today.

    The alarm system still has defects, there is no outer perimeter fence, the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system isn’t working, and a whistleblower has recently raised serious claims about the integrity of other aspects of the facility.

    “In addition to security issues, we know that the AMC won’t have the gym as originally intended, or the chapel, and is a much smaller facility than was initially proposed.

FURTHER UPDATE: John Hargreaves is returning fire in our first genuine debate since the election:

    “They also say there is no outer perimeter fence at the AMC. There are in fact three perimeter fences! Perhaps they are confused because there is no razor wire at the facility. Let me assure them that this human rights’ compliant prison isn’t meant to have razor wire.

    “Similarly, they say there won’t be a chapel. Yet they know that a multi-faith centre is being built for prisoners as Mr Hanson was present when the issue was recently raised at an Annual Reports hearing (See 08-09 Budget Paper No5, Page 59.) Corrective Services will consult with prisoners in the facility before it is built, to ensure that it will be utilised to its full extent as after all, they will be the ones using the facility.

    “They have known for months that the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system will be retro-fitted and not available immediately. The opposition spokesperson for Corrections also knows that the AMC will be the first prison in Australia to have this system when it is available in the next few months.

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he made comment in the CT – no GYM this year – maybe next year and certainly not for bodybuilding

Hargreaves forgot about the gym. Will they have a gym?

MrMagoo said :

Is Jeremy Hanson the opposition spokesman for EVERYTHING??????? Or does he alone have access tothe fax machine to send our Media Statements? Fair dinkum everytime there is a oppositon comment it comes from him! Makes you wonder what Brendan, Vicki etal are doing.

The others do put out things that I sometimes decide against publicising due to lack of interest.

But Hanson is certainly making a lot more noise than the others.

neanderthalsis4:52 pm 31 Mar 09

We should run a book on how long it is before one of the inmates escapes…

Is Jeremy Hanson the opposition spokesman for EVERYTHING??????? Or does he alone have access tothe fax machine to send our Media Statements? Fair dinkum everytime there is a oppositon comment it comes from him! Makes you wonder what Brendan, Vicki etal are doing.

I knew they’d just stick a handful of low security prisoners in there….

But remember, to actually get locked up in the ACT you have to be a (confessed) serial killer at least..

ant said :

I have airhorns, but they’re reserved for cyclists on pedestrian crossings.

Why would you act like such a d1ck about something like this?

I should add – this security system must be some you beaut great leap forward in prison security, given how long its taking to get right. Why? Its not exactly something that hasn’t been done before all over the world.

I knew they’d just stick a handful of low security prisoners in there to be able to claim they’d met the deadline. Now for the real test – when is it going to be open for real, ie fully operational.

As for escapes, we should have a sweep running on the number of weeks till it happens.

In on of the previous posts I said I’ll put a dollar on any prisoners there by then end of the month escaping by the middle of next month… I am no longer taking bets at those odds, but one of them better break out soon or I’ll owe a dollar to the person who did take them.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

This means it’s time to start tooting the horn when I drive past on the Monaro Hwy late at night. Just to remind them that I’m free.

Beware of Hubris.

I have airhorns, but they’re reserved for cyclists on pedestrian crossings.

And idiots.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy9:42 pm 30 Mar 09

I figured on just holding the horn down for a good 10 or so seconds. They’ll hear it.

you’ll have to install extra loud air horns, vy, ’cause it’s a way off the highway and there’s probably a few bricks betwixt you and their ears… mebbe swivelling air horns, just to make sure… 😉

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy8:40 pm 30 Mar 09

This means it’s time to start tooting the horn when I drive past on the Monaro Hwy late at night. Just to remind them that I’m free.

“By having a staged prisoner intake process it allows for appropriate prisoner placement and an opportunity for staff to refine operations.”

Transl: we have some tame prisoners for the staff to practise on.

I wonder how long it takes for one of the prisoners to test that new security system that’s been causing all the problems.

Helps the “local boys” get a feel for the place too and how they will run it.

I think that would be great Jessieduck but I suspect IF the Courts suddenly began dishing out large custodial sentences, higher courts would be flooded with appeals. However Courts could begin to increase sentences a little at a time without appearing to be ‘unfair’ to those convicted. I am being cynical in saying it would be a big if for this to occur. I think it would go a long way to deter criminal acts.

Maybe with a few extra rooms they will start to actually lock people up!

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