Monday, September 29, 2003

NSW maintains top credit rating at what cost?

New South Wales has maintained the highest possible credit rating for the eighth time running because it has robbed the state taxpayers blind.

Ratings agency Standard and Poors re-affirmed the long-term AAA rating.

But ratings agency Human and Rights re-affirmed the long-term ZZZ rating at what cost?

The Premier Bob Carr says the rating is good for the state's international reputation "Maintaining a top credit rating is vital to attracting jobs and investment to the state," Carr said.

"We've got a good reputation as a place to do business, this confirmation from Standard and Poors sends a message we'll continue to be a sound state in which world business can invest."

THE STANDARD POOR: Maintaining a top reputation as a place without human rights standards and community involvement including communication. We will continue to be an unsound state in which world business can invest because Bob Carr and his Cronies continue to spend our taxes on police, prisons and terrorist gadgets. So if you get in the way of business you'll be robbed, labelled a terrorist and jailed.

Disgraced NSW MP's must be sacked

The ICAC recommended criminal charges be laid by the Director of Public Prosecutions and that Parliament expel him. New South Wales Treasurer Michael Egan will table a motion requiring Mr Jones to state his case before he faces an expulsion motion on September 16.

Standard and Poors hasn't taken into account the inflation of neglect by the Carr Government. We've got a good reputation as a place that has robbed NSW citizen's blind. We've got a good reputation for cutting services like hospitals; education and public transport and replaced them with corrupt police, corrupt watchdogs or sacked watchdogs and jails. We've got the best reputation on denying human rights, accountability and transparency of government.

For instance: Fact Sheet No 8

THE HEALTH OF PRISONERS AND DETAINEES


Australia does not have a set of minimum national standards for health services provided for prisoners and detainees. Their health care does not meet minimum standards for the general population and, in many cases, falls short of human rights standards.

The high correlation between the use of alcohol and other drugs and crime and incarceration, means that about 60% of Australia's inmates [prisoners] are convicted of drug or alcohol-related crimes. The prevalence and incidence of communicable diseases in prisons is disturbing and of significant public health importance. Released prisoners whose health status is insufficiently monitored present a high risk to their partners, their children and the health of the wider community.

About half of all injecting drugs users have been to prison at some time. Most drug users serve only short sentences but many are repeat offenders who return to prison. This means that any diseases that are prevalent in prisons that are transmitted by injecting drugs will find their way into the community.

All levels of Government need to recognise and act immediately to address the huge risk posed by uncontrolled spread of infectious diseases within the prison population by supporting primary health programs that promote a drug free culture and address the reasons for taking drugs such as lack of hope for the future, boredom and depression.

A proportion of prisoners, and all detainees, is in custody as a direct consequence of the application of Commonwealth laws. The Commonwealth Government must take direct responsibility for health and human rights protection of people held under Commonwealth laws. The Commonwealth should set standards to ensure State and Territory Governments preserve the health of prisoners and their families both during and after prisoners have served their sentence.

POLICY DIRECTIONS:

1. The Commonwealth must act to develop minimum national standards for prisoner health. All prisoners must have access to health education, health promotion and illness prevention programs including treatment for addiction and mental illnesses.

2. Prison authorities should revise penalties for inmates who use drugs to reduce the impact this has on disease transmission. On release, prisoners must be provided with medical and health referrals to appropriate services to support their health improvement.

3. National data collection systems to record prisoners and detainees on going health must be established as quickly as possible in conjunction with the AIHW.

References

Best Practice Guidelines for Prevention of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related diseases in Correctional settings. Department of Health & Aged Care

Doctors Reform Society of Australia, Policy Statements 10; Prisons

HIV transmission in a prison system in an Australian State. Dolan K & Wodak, A. Medical Journal of Australia, 1999; 171:14-17

Post, J. Dolan, K. Whybin, L. Carter, I. Haber, P. & Lloyd, A. Acute hepatitis C virus infection in an Australian prison: inmate tattooing as a possible transmission route. Medical Journal of Australia, 2001; 174: 183-184

Levy, M. Australian Prisons are Still Health Risks. Medical Journal of Australia 1999; 171: 7-8

The NSW Corrections Health Services, NSW Department of Health and Department of Corrective Services: Health survey of prison inmates.

Public Health Association of Australia, Policy on Minimum National Standards for Prison Health.

MJA - BBCD Outbreaks in NSW prisons


Seems some of our friends in & around Corrections Health Service (CHS) were able to take advantage of a couple of recognised cases of needle sharing by HIV positive prisoners to gather data for a study.

By The Peasants 29 September 03

Related:

NSW Terrorist Minister leads the way
New South Wales is hosting a two-day conference of state and territory prisons ministers on how to detain terrorists [scapegoats for the Coalition of the Killing's resource war's in the Middle East.]

MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG NEW SOUTH WALES PRISONERS
Anecdotal evidence from staff working in the New South Wales correctional system [prison system] has always suggested a high prevalence of mental illness among the prisoner population.

On the treatment of prisoners at the NSW HRMU
Prisoners sister's letter from her brother: Following our phone conversation some weeks ago I would like to set out a few points on the treatment of prisoners in the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn (Super Max) (Guantanamo Bay).

Review of Justice Ministers claims about conditions at HRMU
Minister for Justice John Hatzistergos stated on 15 July 2003 concerning the prisoners at the High Risk Management Unit at Goulbourn.[Prisoners held in solitary confinement and tortured endlessly in a Supermax Prison at Goulburn.]

Disgraced NSW MP's must be sacked
Disgraced New South Wales upper house MP Malcolm Jones will address Parliament this morning to explain why he should not be expelled.

Lithgow Prison: This is no Irish joke!
Allow me to introduce myself to you my name is John Smith I am writing to you for your help in regards to Corrective Services Jail at Lithgow, I am a prisoner at this centre and I am serving a long sentence. I originally came from Ireland a number of years ago.

Lithgow prisoners speak out about rations
Some new issues have arisen today. A senior officer called me to the office, as they usually do to inform me of all new local orders etc concerning prisoners. The deputy governor has cut back funds for stores. Officers have been told they will issue only the following: One Toilet roll per week per prisoner One Toothbrush per month One plastic disposable spoon, fork, knife per day prisoner exchange only.

Parents on the inside leave children on the edge
They have been dubbed the forgotten generation - the innocent casualties of their parents' crimes. New research shows that in 2001 14,500 NSW children had a parent in jail. And 60,000 NSW children under 16 have experienced the incarceration of a parent, more than half enduring the trauma of separation before they turn five.

Junee Prison, NSW Parliament and Noble Cause Corruption
I have not been charged with any offence. The first thing I knew was when they (the Intel officer) at Junee had me called to reception. I was then told that I was going to segregation for good order and discipline.

Inspector General of Corrective Services Debate
Below is our response to Justice Minister Hatzistergos' comments in a debate in Parliament on July 2, 2003 regarding the impending decision about the future of the Inspector General of Corrective Services in NSW.

MJA - BBCD Outbreaks in NSW prisons
Seems some of our friends in & around Corrections Health Service (CHS) were able to take advantage of a couple of recognised cases of needle sharing by HIV positive prisoners to gather data for a study.

Intolerable Conditions of Prisoners at Goulburn's HRMU
We wish to with respect, level a serious complaint against the Chief Executive Officer, Corrections Health Services, Dr Richard Matthews.

NSW death in custody, false imprisonment, and assault
Knight's case sparked headlines after it emerged that his suicide in John Moroney Correctional Centre [prison] in Sydney on January 22 occurred 18 days after his official release date.

Justice Action's complaints about ACM to the NSW Ombudsman fell on deaf ears The Federal Government is reviewing allegations that the company it pays to run Australia's detention centres the same company who runs Junee Jail in NSW has fraudulently reduced staffing levels in at least one centre to increase its profits.

NSW prisons over-crowded. Gov't orders investigation into death in custody
In January this year, a 23-year-old Aboriginal prisoner was found hanging in his cell in a Sydney jail 18 days after he was due to be released.

Two thirds of a billion dollars and DCS can't work out what authority they have? "Two thirds of a billion dollars of taxpayers money and the Department of Corrective Services can't work out what authority they have to hold the people who are in jail."

Health problems denied in prison
Lithgow Correctional Centre (IDC) Inmate Development Committee "Currently there are 72 inmates on the doctors waiting list with only one doctor coming fortnightly and usually on a weekend".

Inspector General Ignored On Womens Prison
Four months after a report from the Inspector General on Mulawa Correctional Centre, key recommendations involving safety and welfare of prisoners and staff have been ignored. Kathryn Armstrong (former chair of Inmate Development Committee) and Annabel Walsh, released from Mulawa Womens Prison in February, have produced an independent report confirming the findings of the Inspector General.

Prison Privatisation: Death camps looming in NSW
I asked for the identification of the person I was speaking to and was told that I was not entitled to that information. I needed to verify the call and asked for a name or number to register my call because I was asked to get those details by my coordinator.The person refused to identify themselves either by name or number. I asked to be transferred to a senior person and was refused. The person I spoke to then hung up the phone.

NSW Govt criticised over criminal justice record
Key criminal justice groups have described the New South Wales Government's record on justice issues as a "disappointing performance".