THE real issue with Risdon prison is not just the recent controversies such as riots, escapes and deaths, but that the operators of this facility haven't learned.
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The escape last week was the fifth major incident at the prison this year, including an escape, hostages taken and three deaths in custody.
The government has expressed its displeasure, but between 1999 and 2001 there were five deaths in custody and scathing reports from coroners and reviews.
In 2001 a coroner warned against mixing young inmates with sex offenders and of course three years later, it was happening again.
The prison has a history of high sick leave rates among staff. The new prison, costing about $100 million, was found to have design and construction flaws.
The government a few years ago defied recent law and order trends and sold off Hayes jail farm, which provided a valuable off-site transition facility for prisoner release.
The government may say there is no need for another prison but logic suggests that in time, and with changes to sentencing laws, there are bound to be more inmates and added pressure on the current facility and staff.
In the meantime we expect the government to protect the public from escapees and to show responsibility for prison inmates.
One death in custody through circumstances can at least be explained. More than one death calls into question the prison's integrity with duty of care.
The Hawks
The AFL grand final is an exclusively Australian event that entertains us and defines us. Unlike horse races and most other contact sports, you will not see the likes of it anywhere on the planet.
It will be watched in many places throughout the world and for the sake of a few hundred thousand dollars the favourites in the contest will have Tasmania emblazoned on their guernseys, for the fourth grand final in a row.
May the best team win - ah, but go the Hawks.