"The amount of money allocated for prison upgrades in this year's budget is unprecedented, with no breakdown of what the money will be used for," said Ms Pennicuik.

"While prison terms are necessary for serious crimes, prison should be a last resort for non-violent offences," she said.

"Research suggests one in three prisoners who go to jail will re-offend. Prisoners face isolation from family and support networks, violence, the risk of institutionalisation, health risks, and the frequently devastating process of dehumanisation, making rehabilitation extremely difficult.

"When you consider the social costs of imprisonment \u2013 inter-generational crime, homelessness, the perpetuation of poverty cycles, separation of families, unemployment, the damage of institutional violence, exacerbation of mental illness, drug abuse, and related ill health programs, then more investment in integrated crime prevention, early intervention, restorative justice programs and community corrections is clearly needed", she said.  

"Prisons are also a significant financial burden on the community. In Victoria, the total cost of delivering prison services was estimated at 447.2 million in 2007-2008. Less than 1% of this money is spent on post-release rehabilitation. Nationally in 2006-2007, the total cost per prisoner per day was $245." *

"It is often said that there is a strong community pressure for punitive measures. However, a report by the Sentencing Advisory Council shows that despite apparent punitiveness, the public favour increasing the use of alternatives to imprisonment", she said.**

Further information: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270

Background:

*Australian Government Productivity Commission, Report on Government Services, 2008, Table 8.A.7 http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2008/justice/chapter08.pdf at 13 May 2008.
 
**Sentencing Advisory Council Victoria, Myths and Misconceptions: Public Opinion vs Judgement about Sentencing, July 2006, http://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Sentencing+Council/resources/file/eb4cff466517f77/Myths_Misconceptions_Public_Opinion_vs_Judgement_About_Sentencing_Jul06.pdf at 13 May 2008.