The early release of a Risdon Prison inmate is “extremely disappointing”, according to Corrections Minister Elise Archer, who has acknowledged the blunder four days after it was exposed by The Examiner.
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Rocherlea man Josh Brown was due to be released on December 3, but was let out of jail on November 5 following an administrative error.
The 31-year-old was serving a four-month sentence for a number of driving and drug offences.
On Saturday Ms Archer maintained the government’s commitment to law and order, including investments in more staff, more beds and providing more funding for the Tasmanian Prison Service.
“The incorrect release is not good enough and I’m extremely disappointed this has happened, particularly given the significant work that has gone into improving the system,” she said.
“We are investing significantly in improved ICT and it’s my expectation that will be the final piece of the puzzle to safeguard against future problems.
“In the interim whilst the ICT solution is underway, the department is also instigating a new Prison Management Governance Committee to better support continuous review and improvement of operating procedures and significant incident management.”
Brown spent almost two weeks outside of prison before he learned he might have to go back to Risdon.
He is the eighth-known prisoner to be incorrectly released before their sentenced had expired, between July 2015 and now, including some who were sentenced for serious and violent crimes.
Ms Archer said incorrect releases also occurred in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 under the former Labor-Green government.
In 2016, a report by KPMG was commissioned by then-Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin in response to accidental releases.
A government spokesman said the TPS had since fully implemented the applicable recommendations, except those requiring a government commitment to ICT investment.
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