The New South Wales (NSW) government will review sentencing and bail guidelines after an inquiry recommended taking children’s welfare into consideration when dealing with offenders.
A parliamentary inquiry into supporting children with imprisoned parents last year found having a parent behind bars had a profoundly negative effect on children – and should be avoided when possible.
Children with incarcerated parents are frequently swept under the rug when it comes to public policy and neglected by government services, the committee’s Liberal chair Peter Sidgreaves said earlier this year.
Bail and sentencing legislation should be changed so judges and magistrates have to consider whether an offender is a parent or carer before putting them behind bars or refusing them bail, the inquiry found….