AUSTRALIA'S FIRST 'DRUG TREATMENT JAIL' TO BE ESTABLISHED IN SYDNEY

The New South Wales Government has committed to a new approach to break the
drug-crime cycle with the announcement that Australia's first compulsory
"drug treatment jail" will be established at the Parklea prison complex in
western Sydney.

An existing jail at the complex will undergo a $1.5 million security upgrade
before taking in the first of up to 100 male inmates at the end of next
year.

Repeat offenders whose crimes stem from their drug addiction will be sent to
the jail by the Drug Court.

They must submit to regular and random drug tests and will be transferred if
they fail to remain drug free.

The Premier, Bob Carr, say compulsory treatment is a tough, but warranted
measure.

"So much of our crime is driven by drug dependency. We need fresh thinking,
a compulsory drug treatment jail is lateral thinking on breaking that link
between reliance on drugs and recidivist crime," he said.

Mr Carr has also released for public comment the bills that will govern the
establishment and operation of the drug treatment jail.