by Tom Walsh
Caravans could soon be used to help solve the problem of prison overcrowding in the state of Victoria, Australia.
The Herald Sun reports that under a proposal put forward by Corrections Victoria, the most trustworthy inmates would be freed to live in disused community facilities or caravans where they would toil in work gangs.
This suggestion follows pressure on the state government to ease its crowded prisons and plans for new jails to be built.
James Talia, spokesman for corrections minister Ed O’Donohue, said that the idea will have to be worked on further before the Australian government assesses whether it will proceed.
Only those who are serving time for non-violent and non-sexual crimes would reportedly be considered to be freed and most eligible would also be nearing the end of their sentences.
It is hoped that joining the supervised work gangs would be deemed as a privilege earned by inmates for good behaviour, with possible work including planting trees, clearing waterways and erecting fences. This would also help prisoners learn new skills.
