One would hope that a justice system that works the way it is intended, would see the guilty behind bars and excluded from many of the rights of free persons.
Does this include sovereignty over their bodies and health choices?
Representatives of NSW prison officers say they are demanding mandatory vaccinations be adopted across the NSW justice system, with the union saying inmates who refuse the jab should face the same public health restrictions unvaccinated members of the public do.
Mandatory vaccination for prison officers
Acting Commissioner Kevin Corcoran mandated all prison officers will require mandatory vaccination, with the first vaccination needed by 30 October 2021 and the second dose by the end of January, 2022.
Stewart Little, general secretary of the Public Service Association said the union accepted mandatory vaccination for officers was critical to keeping jails safe, but called on the government to extend it to the entire prison population, not just those who work in it. ‘Mandatory vaccinations just for prison officers is a job half done. To keep NSW jails safe from COVID-19 everyone in the justice system needs to be vaccinated, no excuses.’
Health restrictions similar to non-vaccinated public
The union has written to Minister Anthony Roberts seeking confirmation inmates will be vaccinated, and where they can’t be, health restrictions similar to what the non-vaccinated public face will be adopted. ‘Right now in NSW you can’t go on a picnic with your mate unless you’re fully vaccinated. It’s looking likely you won’t be able to go to the footy, get your hair done, or share a drink with friends at the pub with out proof of your vaccination.
‘Inside NSW jails though, despite it being one of the highest risk settings you can think of, there is no distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated inmates.
‘We want to see vaccinations offered to people as soon as they enter custody. If they refuse, well then they’re going to have to be separated from the rest of the general inmate population – that means they can’t go into minimum security, can’t get a job in the workshops, and face restrictions on visitors.
30,000 people in the justice system
Mr Little said there are around 30,000 people in the justice system currently. ‘The public need to understand the population is always fluctuating and can be quite transient – for any one person in prison there’s another on remand or out on bail.
‘Getting people in the criminal justice system jabbed isn’t just going to make our prisons safer, it means those who might have done their time and then head home into a regional community will be vaccinated.
‘The prison population is also made up of a lot of people with poor health – the rate of hepatitis is about four times that of what you find in general population. This would be an effective public health measure that takes in a lot of marginalised people.
‘By the end of October every prison officer will have gotten their first jab, it’s right that inmates should be given the same opportunity.’
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU. The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election. The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests. Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency. Today there are 41 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with none of these in ICU. The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reports that there are 37 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
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Great idea, the law makers who are trying to pass this should also make vaccines mandatory for politicians. They should lead from the front.
So you want Governments to make vaccines mandatory for a virus that has a 99+% survival rate for the vast majority?
Wow. I wouldn’t ride a bike, drive a car or even go outside if I were you. Life is very dangerous.
Steve you are on another planet. Go check with your local nurses and doctors rather than repeat Craig Kelly/ Palmer garbage.
The vaccines are made using mRNA, instead of viral cells. It’s unprecedented technology in the vaccine industry so it is therefore experimental. Furthermore, it is being alleged by medical scientists that a traditional method of producing a vaccine for covid is actually not possible, because it (covid) cannot be isolated in a lab in order to sequence its genetic code. Therefore, the claim is that it gas not yet been proven to exist.
so remind me what’s the difference between the Muslim prisons in china and our own prisons in Australia