FED: Brown says biscuit theft does not justify jail sentence

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2000
FED: Brown says biscuit theft does not justify jail sentence

CANBERRA, Feb 17 AAP - A 21-year-old Aboriginal man jailed for stealing biscuits had
committed a string of petty crimes but nothing which justified 12 months jail, Greens
Senator Bob Brown said today.

Senator Brown said he would be happy to acquaint United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan with his concerns about Western Australian and Northern Territory mandatory sentencing
laws during his forthcoming visit.

The world would condemn Australia if no action was taken, he said.

Senator Brown was commenting after a magistrate on Groote Eylandt in the Northern territory
yesterday sentenced Jamie Wurramara to a year in jail for stealing $23 worth of biscuits
from a mine site.

The NT government's mandatory sentencing laws make a 12-month jail term compulsory
for any third property offence.

"It's disgusting, going to jail for a year for stealing biscuits," Senator Brown told
reporters in Canberra.

"The whole focus on mandatory sentencing is going to continue and we are going to see
the procession of, particularly, young Aboriginal people off to jail for the most petty
crimes when rehabilitation should be the alternative that this nation is offering.

"There are a string of petty crimes involved but nothing to justify 12 months in jail
for stealing some biscuits by a person who was hungry on Christmas Day.

"The world is going to condemn Australia if we don't act."

Senator Brown said he would he would put these views to Mr Annan next week if the opportunity
arose.

"I would certainly be very happy to acquaint Kofi Annan with the details of the mandatory
sentencing so that he can know exactly, not only what is wrong, but how easily we can
fix it up."

The Senate inquiry into the mandatory sentencing laws holds its final hearings tonight
and will report on March 9.

Senator Brown has introduced a private member's bill which would overturn the laws.

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KEYWORD: MANDATORY 2ND DAYLEAD

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