STATE: Parole denials leave prisons bursting at seams

Soaring rates of prisoners denied parole or having it cancelled are driving the crowding crisis in Victoria’s prison system.

Over the past 12 months, denial of parole has jumped 43.6 per cent, cancelled parole has risen 41.1 per cent and the number of people on parole has fallen 22 per cent.

Of Victoria’s record 5756 prisoners across the system – up 750 from a year ago – 836 were in custody for breach of parole, a figure that has doubled in 12 months.

The statistics were revealed at a recent forum involving Corrections Victoria, magistrates, lawyers, security companies and prisoner welfare workers.

Read the full story at The Age here.