Unamused Cat
March 13th, 2008, 08:03 PM
Child-basher Terrence John Bice was granted parole despite failing to take part in a program for violent offenders because it was not available at the jail in which he was serving a sentence for throwing his two-year-old daughter across a room, causing her severe and permanent disabilities.
Bice, released from Karnet prison farm yesterday, completed a “motivational” program more than 18 months ago but did not undertake a rehabilitation program for violent offenders last year because it would have required the 26-year-old to move to a different jail.
The West Australian understands Bice was offered the chance to take part in the program but he could not be moved to the jail where the treatment was available after concerns over his safety.
Bice served three years of a fiveyear sentence for throwing his daughter Teagen on the floor when she would not stop crying, causing massive brain damage.
Attorney-General Jim McGinty revealed yesterday that he had doubts about the effectiveness of some prison programs, but he said the Prisoners Review Board was independent and did not release offenders who posed a serious threat to the community.
“I’ve got some doubt as to the benefit of some of the courses that are run in prisons in terms of changing people’s behaviour,” Mr McGinty said.
“Having said that, it’s obviously preferable that these courses be run in prison but if they’re not available in prison then to run them in the community is the second best option.”
Opposition Leader Troy Buswell attacked the Government’s failure to provide appropriate programs in the prison system to ensure offenders were rehabilitated.
“This points to a serious mismanagement issue,” Mr Buswell said. “Prisoners go to jail in part to be punished and in part to be rehabilitated. One of the roles of government is to provide the services required to ensure that rehabilitation occurs.
“Mr Bice was not provided with the basic rehabilitative training that he should have been provided with while he was in jail.”
Department of Corrective Services acting commissioner Heather Harker said Bice had completed one program, refused a second and would undertake a third as part of his parole.
The West Australian understands Bice completed a program called Motivation to Change in June 2006 before being offered the Violent Offenders — Building Better Relationships program last year. He will have to complete a three-month residential program, which will include courses addressing domestic violence and anger management.
Prisoners Review Board spokesman Lee Bateman said “prison management requirements” which related to Bice’s “protection within the prison” would have been compromised if he had been moved to another prison where the violent offenders program was offered.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=62810
It is a disgrace that he has been paroled. :mad:
Article from 06/05: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,15787441-2761,00.html
Bice, released from Karnet prison farm yesterday, completed a “motivational” program more than 18 months ago but did not undertake a rehabilitation program for violent offenders last year because it would have required the 26-year-old to move to a different jail.
The West Australian understands Bice was offered the chance to take part in the program but he could not be moved to the jail where the treatment was available after concerns over his safety.
Bice served three years of a fiveyear sentence for throwing his daughter Teagen on the floor when she would not stop crying, causing massive brain damage.
Attorney-General Jim McGinty revealed yesterday that he had doubts about the effectiveness of some prison programs, but he said the Prisoners Review Board was independent and did not release offenders who posed a serious threat to the community.
“I’ve got some doubt as to the benefit of some of the courses that are run in prisons in terms of changing people’s behaviour,” Mr McGinty said.
“Having said that, it’s obviously preferable that these courses be run in prison but if they’re not available in prison then to run them in the community is the second best option.”
Opposition Leader Troy Buswell attacked the Government’s failure to provide appropriate programs in the prison system to ensure offenders were rehabilitated.
“This points to a serious mismanagement issue,” Mr Buswell said. “Prisoners go to jail in part to be punished and in part to be rehabilitated. One of the roles of government is to provide the services required to ensure that rehabilitation occurs.
“Mr Bice was not provided with the basic rehabilitative training that he should have been provided with while he was in jail.”
Department of Corrective Services acting commissioner Heather Harker said Bice had completed one program, refused a second and would undertake a third as part of his parole.
The West Australian understands Bice completed a program called Motivation to Change in June 2006 before being offered the Violent Offenders — Building Better Relationships program last year. He will have to complete a three-month residential program, which will include courses addressing domestic violence and anger management.
Prisoners Review Board spokesman Lee Bateman said “prison management requirements” which related to Bice’s “protection within the prison” would have been compromised if he had been moved to another prison where the violent offenders program was offered.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=62810
It is a disgrace that he has been paroled. :mad:
Article from 06/05: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,15787441-2761,00.html