Inmates to pay their victims
17.02.1998
KOCH A Source: QNP
PRISONERS with money in bank accounts could be forced to pay it to their victims.
They also could be made to pay 90 percent of their earnings in prison _ up to $64 a week _ to victims.
Brisbane solicitor Tony Bailey, who works extensively for victims of crime, has applied to the Corrective Services Commission to take action against inmates.
The commission, which has the legislative power to deduct the funds, could make a decision tomorrow.
Mr Bailey said yesterday funds would be sought from prisoners who had a court order against them granting compensation to a victim affected by the crime.
Mr Bailey said victims had to spend up to $9000 to mount a case. They faced medical, psychiatric, legal and court costs, money which could not be recouped.
He said prisoners who could pay for such outlays should be made to do so.
Prisoners are not allowed to operate private bank accounts. Their funds are paid into a trust account operated by Corrective Services, and any withdrawals have to be approved.
The interest earned by the trust account is retained by the commission.
Section 59 of the Corrective Services Act states that the commission may make deductions of such amounts as it may determine from the remuneration of a prisoner in satisfaction of a court order that the prisoner pay compensation in respect of an offence for which he or she was convicted.
Prisoners are paid $2 a day to buy personal hygiene items.
Those with jobs in the prison system _ the hospital, laundry, kitchen, library or on farms _ are paid up to $40 a week.
Those doing certain education courses are also paid an allowance up to $20 a week.
The application by Mr Bailey was endorsed by Victims of Crime Association president Ian Davies.
``This will also encourage victims to engage professional help _ help that is readily available free of charge to the perpetrator,'' Mr Davies said.
``We have to turn it around so that victims get the same opportunities as prisoners. There is plenty of money being spent on prisoners.
``We are involved in fund-raising to help those affected by criminals, yet $600,000 a year is spent on providing chaplaincy services inside the prisons.''
Mr Bailey has compiled a list of prisoners who have court orders against them.
