WA prisons boss revoked support for GPS tracking in regional areas
The Commissioner of Corrective Services Brad Royce wrote to WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch, warning that his agency could no longer support GPS tracking of family and domestic violence offenders in regional WA because of 'unacceptable risks' with response times if the trackers fault.
In the April 11 letter, obtained by the opposition, Royce said issues with GPS tracking in metro areas could be resolved promptly, but regional areas posed a risk to victims of the offenders.
'In regional and remote locations, delayed responses to these issues create an unacceptable risk, particularly critical in family and domestic violence cases, where immediate action can be necessary to prevent harm to victims,' he said.
'This is especially problematic at night or on weekends when [Adult Community Corrections] do not have the capacity to respond beyond the metropolitan area.
'In addition to responding to breach alerts, having the ability to address equipment failures, charging issues, or signal loss, are essential for effective monitoring.
'Accordingly, I am now providing formal advice that ACC will not recommend or support the use of electronic monitoring under the Family Violence Legislation Reform Act in any location other than the Perth metropolitan area.'
The act, which came into effect in December last year, mandates GPS tracking of family violence offenders granted bail, but its effectiveness in regional areas have dogged the state government for several weeks.
Royce said the advice he provided to Blanch had also been provided to the Chief Magistrate, District Court Judge Wager, the Prisoner's Review Board and the office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
31-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Woman charged over daughter's murder taken to hospital
A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive. Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said. Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency. Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital. "Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement. Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit. "It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday. Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday. Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm. When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds. She died at the scene. A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife. Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured. Both are in the care of their father. Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation. Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene. "It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday. A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised. Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room. "Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said. "Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister. "Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive. Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said. Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency. Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital. "Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement. Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit. "It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday. Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday. Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm. When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds. She died at the scene. A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife. Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured. Both are in the care of their father. Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation. Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene. "It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday. A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised. Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room. "Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said. "Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister. "Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive. Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said. Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency. Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital. "Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement. Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit. "It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday. Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday. Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm. When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds. She died at the scene. A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife. Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured. Both are in the care of their father. Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation. Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene. "It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday. A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised. Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room. "Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said. "Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister. "Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive. Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said. Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency. Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital. "Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement. Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit. "It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday. Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday. Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm. When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds. She died at the scene. A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife. Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured. Both are in the care of their father. Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation. Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene. "It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday. A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised. Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room. "Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said. "Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister. "Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
West Australian
30-05-2025
- West Australian
Young people at Banksia Hill invite ‘outside-in' for first-of-its kind Reconciliation Week event
Young people in youth detention at Banksia Hill Detention Centre invited the 'outside-in' for a first-of-its-kind National Reconciliation Week event. The Department of Justice's event, Benang Moorditjabiny — Becoming Stronger for Tomorrow — featured reconciliation messages from Government and non-government representatives, cultural dance performances and a group yarning session. Ninety guests attended, including former Senator Patrick Dodson, Attorney General Tony Buti, Minister for Corrective Services Paul Papalia, Elders and community leaders from across the State. Mr Dodson — the father of reconciliation — said it was 'a great initiative'. 'The fact that the people in here, the young fellas and the young people inside, wanted to see and invited people from outside to come in, that to me is a great initiative and a great compliment to them, but also a compliment to the authorities for enabling that to happen,' he said. Banksia Hill's 'outside in' event showed what can be done when people are serious about reconciliation, and what can happened when people come together for a common purpose. 'This helps both parties, the young kids, the people that work with them and gives everyone a sense that we are able to not only help people when they're here, but to hopefully put the onus back on the communities to make sure that they don't come back here,' Mr Dodson said. 'There's a lot of hope that, working together, we can make life better, not only for the young people, but for the people that work in these places. We sometimes don't see, but there are real possibilities, and real values in doing some of the things they might have to do.' Department of Justice Director General Kylie Maj said it was a 'first of its kind' event. 'We listened when young people told us they would like 'to bring the outside world in' to celebrate National Reconciliation Week,' Ms Maj said. 'Here at Banksia Hill, it's evident we are taking significant steps to improve outcomes for young people, alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, including the introduction of important programs and supports.' Reconciliation WA's engagement with students at Banksia Hill focused on ways to encourage young people to find and use their voices and take part in ongoing conversations about reconciliation and their futures. Young people at Banksia Hill were involved in event planning and delivery and were supported by the Corrective Services' Aboriginal Services team and the Aboriginal Justice Transformation unit. Despite the 'marvellous achievements' of the Banksia Hill event, Mr Dodson believes a lot of work still needs to be done nationally. 'There's a bit more enlightenment in some of our jurisdictions that need to take place, and they better get on with it and make the changes to make things improve for the young people,' he said. 'For our communities, we've got to keep their young people out of harm and out of the attention of the police, which bring them into these places through the courts.' The event was hosted in partnership with Reconciliation WA.
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Perth Now
Young boy dies in horrific accident in the Perth Hills
An eight-year-old boy has died in a horrific accident after he fell from a ute, which then hit him, in the Perth Hills. Major crash officers are probing the incident, which happened in the vicinity of Baldock Road and Whitlam Street in Mt Helena about 4pm on Tuesday. Police said the boy was travelling in a ute before he fell from the vehicle. He was then hit by the same vehicle. The child was taken to a nearby home by first responders before police and paramedics met the boy. He was taken to St John of God Midland hospital with serious injuries. He was then taken to Perth Children's Hospital. Police said that the boy died at the hospital. An eight-year-old boy has died in an horrific accident in Mt Helena bushland. Credit: Unknown / The West Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch said one of the boy's family members was in the car. 'It's obviously still subject to a significant investigation,' he said. 'It's a terribly sad story, the eight-year-old boy has passed away and we understand he fell from a moving vehicle and has later pronounced deceased. 'I understand there's a family member in the car but I don't have any further details.' Mr Blanch said the vehicle was a 'normal ute'. When asked if there was any criminality involved, he said early indications suggested the incident was a tragic accident. 'I think it's too early to tell, I don't believe (there is any criminality involved) … let's keep an open mind on the investigation,' he said. While it is not clear exactly where the incident occurred, the area is surrounded by multiple gravel and sand tracks. It is understood the RAC Rescue chopper was due to land in a nearby paddock before the child was rushed away in an ambulance. A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said that she saw police and paramedics at a home across the street late on Tuesday afternoon. 'I came back into the house because I didn't want to know really what happened, because I don't want to be upset,' she said. Police cordoned off part of Cook Street after the boy was taken to the nearby home. Multiple neighbours said they have previously seen a white ute parked and children playing at the property.
