The founder of Turnings, a watchdog group focused on those who have had brushes with the law, is responding to the federal government’s plans to toughen sentences for repeat offenders and bring in reverse-onus bail reform.

Dan McGettigan, who formed Turnings in 1994, says the federal government’s tougher bail and sentencing laws will have an impact on HMP, which is old and already overcrowded.

Some legal authorities pose that increasing maximum sentences will have little effect as it’s the minimum sentences which have to be toughened.

“That jail was initially built for about 170-180 now when you get up to 235-240, there’s not much room for the staff who are hard-pressed to do a lot of programs.”

“They’re doing the best they can I’m sure with what they have, but consequently, are people

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