This is my fifth (unfortunate) incarceration – twice in WA, three times in NSW. It seems that the introduction of Post Sentence Supervision Orders, Community Correction Orders and others prohibiting a return to “normal” life post prison sentence is a significant issue in the recidivism rates across Australia.
There are limited benefits from both a moral and just point of view. Significantly, it stands to reason that because of those post sentence orders you are limited in what you can do and where you can go and, once breached, again return to prison.
Although it seems proactive to the wider community that we are keeping these vile and nasty criminals off our streets, have the bureaucrats considered the mental and emotional effect that it is having on the subject?
I have been subject to reporting to both police and parole for the better part of the past four years, since my return to NSW in 2021 from WA, where I was originally convicted.
Each time I am released, there is a tightening of the orders or other orders that I have had to adhere to, whereby I feel less and less valued as a human being.
This time I even lost my own patience as, being 52, it must be my fault.
I struggle with anxiety, depression and PTSD but now also suffer paranoia because, when released and even inside with a lack of mental health care, I am that afraid even to walk out my door, go to the shops, park or invite a friend over (if I had any) because I might be arrested again.
How is this situation helping anyone who gets thrown into the system?
Across Australia, but especially in NSW, we need a review of prisons and the way we treat people. Are we punishing the ones who are already being punished? Or are we just castaways and the only future – due to being unable to escape – is every single prison is full because of breaching a pre-existing order that they maybe could have been given a little help for?
