From: Hailes, Sonia (SEN) on behalf of Legal and Constitutional,
Committee (SEN)
Sent: Tuesday, 31 July 2001 4:24 PM
To: Wilson, Christine (SEN)
Subject: FW: Submission on Mandatory Sentencing Senate Inquiry



-----Original Message-----
From: Jill Cranny [mailto:jcranny@midcoast.com.au] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 4:35 PM
To: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject: Submission on Mandatory Sentencing Senate Inquiry


The Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Email: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au

Dear Committee,
I wish to lodge my support for Senator Brown's bill to ban mandatory
sentencing for all property crime- including both adults and children.
The previous bill only banning such sentencing for children does not go
far enough to address the injustices to the whole society which remain
while such legislation does not cover all members of our community.

There are many compelling reasons to oppose mandatory sentencing.
Incarceration is probably one of the most traumatic events in a persons
life and to unecessarily imprision a person , considering the negative
impressions that could be made on a young member of the community may by
some be considered a crime in itself. We as a society have a duty of
care to our young, sick elderly, in fact all members of society and to
provide appropriate punishment to fit the crime which could help to
prevent recidivism amongst offenders. To allow parliament to legislate
instead of allowing judges to judge contavenes the intention behind
separation of powers.
Increasingly those most vulnerable in our community appear to suffer
more as result of such unfair sentencing- aboriginal, women and
children. This appears to break our committments to anti discrimination
and to International committments to human rights.

On a purely financial point of view, this law is costing too much to
enforce and the results could be well argued to be
counterproductive(i.e. increase recidivism amongst those unnessecarily
imprisioned). This is financially irresponsible and not effective at
reducing crime or detering crime.

Early intervention has been shown to be more effective than early
incarceration. Give the communities a chance to show innovative and
effective ways in helping deal with crime, which may be cheaper, more
effective at achieving realistic goals and shows some compassion and
repect for equality and social justice.

Thank you for consideration of the concerns and issues I have raised.
Yours sincerely,
Greens Councillor on Bellingen Shire Council
Ms Jillian Cranny BA
PO Box 410 Dorrigo NSW 2453
Tel: 0266573273/Tel/Fax: 0266573345