Jail being used for wrong purpose

Sydney
14 April 2002

Thousands welcome relics to St Mary’s

Woman chooses palliative care ahead of euthanasia

Jail being used for wrong purpose

Oarful day for Riverview

Caritas helps quake victims

Embryo pact on ‘slippery moral slope’

In love with the Little Way and saintly humility

Archbishop calls for saint’s help to protect the unborn

Woomera action may be justified, says bishop

Shed workers use new skills to help others

Spirituality, ethics in focus

St John’s, Woodlawn, reunion

Janelle’s bake takes the cake

Perfect patron – a saint with a joy that inspires

Litany in Chinese verse

Editorial: Asking for a little help

Letters: Stem-cell research

Conversation: Abduction ‘gave me strength, courage’ - Juliana Waithera Muiruri, aid worker

Reflections: Peace and the Arab-Israeli conflict

From Samoa with love ... and a gift

Opinion: Relics – veneration of God’s transforming grace

Pilgrims and Padre Pio – it’s big business

Feature: First priest to the Great South Lands

Jail being used for wrong purpose

By Chris Hook

Authorities are increasingly using the criminal justice system as a substitute for education and health services by sending young people with drug and mental health problems to prison, says Jesuit priest Fr Peter Norden.

The Melbourne-based priest, who is Jesuit Social Services director, was commenting on figures showing that Australia’s prison population has increased by 50 per cent in the past decade – from 15,000 in 1991 to almost 22,500 by June last year.

And the imprisonment rate has increased by 28 per cent, rising from 117 to 151 prisoners per 100,000 members of the adult population.

“Authorities are over-relying on the criminal justice system to serve the needs of the community,” Fr Norden said.

He said many young people with drug and mental health problems were being imprisoned where they were exposed to a “hard-core” criminal element.

“They will probably be released from prison at greater risk to the community.”

More than half of those imprisoned have been incarcerated before, he added.

“We have an economically irrational policy in regard to prisons in Australia,” Fr Norden said.

“It’s not rehabilitating, it’s debilitating.”