Tasmanian prisoners’ parole impacted by ‘unsuitable’ housing

Jess Flint | The Advocate | June 6, 2023

About one-third of Tasmanian prisoners are having their parole applications adjourned because of accommodation issues, the Attorney-General revealed at budget estimates on Tuesday.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said she wanted to be clear that the vast majority of these cases occur because unsuitable options for release have been nominated by the prisoners.

Ms Archer said housing was critical to the successful rehabilitation of offenders.

“We all know it’s a difficult housing market,” she said.

“The question is how far do we go, when an inmate needs to…”

Independent Nelson MLC Meg Webb interjected and said it would be particularly difficult for someone to secure housing from prison.

“It’s a multi faceted, complex issue, it’s not as simple as the government finding them somewhere to live,” Ms Archer continued.

Unsuitable accommodation could include instances where there are other criminal associates at the residence, or when the occupants of the residence do not want the parolee to live with them any more due to safety concerns.

In 2021, it was reported that 20 per cent of parole applications had been adjourned due to unsuitable accommodation.

Ms Archer said programs like Prisoner Rapid Rehousing, Beyond the Wire, and partnerships with community service providers such as Housing Connect, Anglicare, and Mission Australia were in place to assist inmates to access suitable housing options.

Ms Archer said good accommodation was also important to successful home detention.

“Home detention can be considered as a sentencing option so people can keep their employment, housing and family connections.”