Prisoners have been turned away from courts since sentencing practices changed last September, an auditor-general's report says.
More than 800 prisoners were turned away because there was no room for them, from September to December. "There was no spare capacity for prisoners attending court because of police cells being used to detain sentenced and remand prisoners," the report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, said.
Some prisoners' matters were rescheduled or heard via teleconference but the bulk (75 per cent) were adjourned. The report said this had the potential to increase the costs of detaining and moving prisoners, administering court appearances and representing prisoners.
"The Victorian prison system is facing significant pressure from a large growth in prisoner numbers," it said. Changes to some suspended sentences that came into effect in the County and Supreme courts last September was one reason cited for the increase.
The cost of moving prisoners has jumped by 29 per cent since 2009 due largely to the growth of prisoner numbers.
Corrections Victoria had to pay more than $178,000 between September and February relating to 206 instances where prisoners were not brought before the courts.
"Prior to September 2013, there had been no instance of similar discretionary costs being awarded," the report said.
A spokesman for Corrections Minister Edward O'Donohue said the jump in the cost of transporting prisoners was a result of the current contract arrangements, which will change when the contract is renewed.
He also said measures put in place to improve the flow of prisoners were praised by the auditor-general at the time.
"The spike in prisoner numbers, and the number of prisoners not being presented to court, was a direct result of the coalition government's vitally important reforms to the parole system," the spokesman said.
"This situation has now evened out."
The number of prisoners in custody increased by almost 700 between February 2013 and February 2014, rising to 5892
Share
