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Computers in Cells political responses |
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Election Forum Responses - Computers in Cells
On Saturday February 19, 2011 a NSW State Pre-Election Forum was organised by the Community Justice Coalition, where the major political parties outlined their policies regarding Criminal Justice.
Attorney General John Hatzistergos for the ALP, Greg Smith Shadow Attorney General for the Liberals, David Shoebridge for the Australian Greens, and Phillip Costa, Minister for Corrective Services presented for their parties.
During the Forum, each party was questioned about their position on placing computers in cells. The responses were all supportive and suggest that computers may be placed in cells soon. While the Opposition and Minister Costa held security concerns, these are safely addressed as shown in our ‘Computer in Cells Proposal’. The Greens acknowledged that security risks can be eliminated within the program.
Phillip Costa pointed out that Nowra Prison had been designed to receive computers in cells and that they were awaiting a political decision. He also stated that he “believe[s computers are] a very useful resource so long as you’ve got a capacity to maintain security and safety”.
The Opposition also confirmed that they were in favour of the proposal with Greg Smith saying that “the only thing that worries me about the proposal is security”.
Similarly, the Greens emphasised that they support computers in cells “with all of the appropriate IT restraints [which are] clearly within the grasp of the NSW government”. They maintained that if a key aim of corrective services is rehabilitation, then computers in cells are necessary. Furthermore, they stated that computers and internet access are needed to uphold relationships between parents and kids. Otherwise, children are being punished for crimes that they did not commit.
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