Tuesday, 8 February 2005

Alexander: Prisoners' privacy a weak excuse

Privacy concerns being cited as to why no system of checks stopped some 3700 prisoners from receiving $1.8 million in benefits while in prison last year are ridiculous, United Future's Marc Alexander said today.

"Any perceived privacy right of prisoners is of a second order," he said.

"Frankly, inmates forfeit considerably more than their freedom when they commit crimes that breached various rights of their fellow citizens, including the right to live in a safe and secure society," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman, said.

He called for those prisoners who had invalidly received benefits to be made to repay the amounts of money immediately or forfeit assets to that value, where possible.

ENDS

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