FEWER than one in five people convicted of breaching their bail in the state’s lower courts go to prison as a result, Sentencing Advisory Council figures show. There have been 2974 breaches of bail convictions in the Magistrates Court in the past five years, with the most common punishment being a fine. Imprisonment was ordered in 391 cases, while partially or fully suspended sentences were handed down 544 times. Police Association of Tasmania president Pat Allen said it was frustrating for officers to see perpetrators given repeated chances at bail. ‘‘There are instances of people breaching multiple times before any action is taken,’’ he said. ‘‘If you’re bailed on an offence, and you go out and commit other offences ... you’ve shown a want to not do what do you’re told.’’ Constable Allen said police were more proactive in ensuring that people were complying with their bail conditions. ‘‘They go and check on people, and when they’re not at home, they will follow up,’’ he said. However, Tasmanian Law Society president Matthew Verney said courts generally got the balance right between the presumption of innocence and protecting the community. ‘‘I’d be concerned if there were efforts to make getting bail tougher,’’ he said. ‘‘People are still innocent in the eyes of the law until they are convicted. ‘‘Bail is not an automatic tick and courts take their responsibility very seriously.’’ He said even minor infringements such as failing to report to police could count as a breach of bail. The Magistrates Court’s own figures indicate the total number of cases of breaches of bail, suspended sentences, community orders and probation is decreasing. Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said the government would keep an eye on states such as Victoria, where bail laws have been tightened in recent years. ‘‘My department is monitoring developments on bail reform in other jurisdictions in consultation with the Commissioner of Police, and will carefully consider any options for reform,’’ she said. Dr Goodwin said the government was also committed to implementing changes recommended in the wake of the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney, including a push to make bail more consistent across jurisdictions. AT A GLANCE ●Since July 1, 2010, there have been 2974 breaches of bail convictions in the Magistrates Court. ●1289 offenders have been punished by fine. ●544 have been given partially or fully suspended sentences. ●391 have been sent to jail. Source: Sentencing Advisory Council
FEWER than one in five people convicted of breaching their bail in the state’s lower courts go to prison as a result, Sentencing Advisory Council figures show.
There have been 2974 breaches of bail convictions in the Magistrates Court in the past five years, with the most common punishment being a fine.
Imprisonment was ordered in 391 cases, while partially or fully suspended sentences were handed down 544 times.
Police Association of Tasmania president Pat Allen said it was frustrating for officers to see perpetrators given repeated chances at bail.
‘‘There are instances of people breaching multiple times before any action is taken,’’ he said.
‘‘If you’re bailed on an offence, and you go out and commit other offences ... you’ve shown a want to not do what do you’re told.’’
Constable Allen said police were more proactive in ensuring that people were complying with their bail conditions.
‘‘They go and check on people, and when they’re not at home, they will follow up,’’ he said.
However, Tasmanian Law Society president Matthew Verney said courts generally got the balance right between the presumption of innocence and protecting the community.
‘‘I’d be concerned if there were efforts to make getting bail tougher,’’ he said.
‘‘People are still innocent in the eyes of the law until they are convicted.
‘‘Bail is not an automatic tick and courts take their responsibility very seriously.’’
He said even minor infringements such as failing to report to police could count as a breach of bail.
The Magistrates Court’s own figures indicate the total number of cases of breaches of bail, suspended sentences, community orders and probation is decreasing.
Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin said the government would keep an eye on states such as Victoria, where bail laws have been tightened in recent years.
‘‘My department is monitoring developments on bail reform in other jurisdictions in consultation with the Commissioner of Police, and will carefully consider any options for reform,’’ she said.
Dr Goodwin said the government was also committed to implementing changes recommended in the wake of the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney, including a push to make bail more consistent across jurisdictions.
AT A GLANCE
●Since July 1, 2010, there have been 2974 breaches of bail convictions in the Magistrates Court.
●1289 offenders have been punished by fine.
●544 have been given partially or fully suspended sentences.
