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Archived Press Releases 2005 13th February 2005

Call to suspend "Home Detention" immediately

(13th February 2005)

The Home Detention scheme has been labelled a "disastrous social experiment" and should be suspended immediately say a Criminal Justice watchdog organization after a woman suffers serious injuries in a completely unprovoked assault.

Ms Marfell was slammed unconscious to the ground and suffered head, neck and elbow injuries and has lost the peripheral vision to her right eye. Coles was sentenced to two years and three months in prison last Friday.

A spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust said that this completely unprovoked attack on an innocent woman makes a mockery of the scheme that has been promoted as an alternative to prison.

Mr McVicar said these thugs need a lesson and they need it hard and fast and "Home Detention" is simply not it. The warm fuzzy feel good promoters of this scheme must be held responsible; another innocent woman has become a victim of this failed experiment.

"Violent criminals and sex offenders should never be considered for Home Detention, the safety of the community and law abiding citizens must be the utmost priority. These thugs had a choice and they made it, they should now be held accountable and suffer the consequences."

"It is all very well and good for this Government to say they care about Victims; if they do we call on the Minister of Corrections to suspend Home Detention forthwith."

One more Victim is one too many!!

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.