WA could save $400 million a year by not jailing non-violent criminals, new research shows

New research is calling for a radical shift in how WA politicians address crime and punishment, with figures showing if non-violent offenders were removed from prison the state could save more than $400 million a year. The Institute of Public Affairs will release their new study — entitled “Smart Justice” — on Tuesday, comparing criminal justice jurisdictions around Australia. That paper reveals that Western Australia’s incarceration rate is 61 per cent higher than the national average — the highest of all Australian states. And is rising. And the average cost of detaining one prisoner for one day in WA is approximately $411, or $150,114 per year. Using Australian Bureau of Statistic figures, the report pinpoints that the most serious offence of up to 40 per cent of those in WA prisons was a non-violent. And removing those offenders from prison — and instead sentencing through community service, home detention, fines, and restitution orders — could save the state $405 million annually. “To fix Western Australia’s broken prison system, leaders must commit to reforms which ensure scarce resources are not wasted on incarcerating non-violent offenders, who could be punished in other ways,” said IPA Research Fellow Mia Schlicht. “Prisons should be reserved to protect the community from criminals who commit violent and sexual offences and those who remain an ongoing threat to community safety. “At present, many of the state’s prison beds are currently being occupied by the wrong type of offender.” The research paper pointed to the United States — and in particular several traditionally conservative jurisdictions — who have saved billions of dollars by reducing the numbers of non-violent offenders behind bars. A previous IPA paper revealed that in Texas, state congress reallocated money from new prisons into a range of diversion options for non-violent offenders, saving a potential spend of $3 billion. Violent, sexual, and serious property crimes declined by more than 12 per cent. Those examples will be put before WA parliamentarians on Tuesday. “Being tough on crime means being smart on crime. Reform must prioritise locking away dangerous offenders and ensuring non-violent offenders do not continue to be a drain on society, but are instead made to pay back the damage their offending has caused,” Ms Schlicht said. “Previous IPA research has established that Western Australia is the state most impacted by worker shortages, with many businesses struggling to find the workers they need. “Suitable low-risk, non-violent offenders should be available to work with willing businesses that desperately need staff and paying back the victims of their crimes.” The calls come as pressure increases on both adult and juvenile prisons across WA. Conditions in Hakea prison have plummeted so low this year that lawyers are regularly citing the harsh and oppressive conditions when making sentencing submissions. The West Australian understands that several senior WA judges have been granted visits to various prisons to see the conditions for themselves.