17 October 2016

Business SA recognises the economic and social cost of crime in SA
Supports State Government’s Reducing Reoffending -10% by 2020 initiative
Launches State-wide survey to test business community’s views

Business SA recognises the economic and social costs of crime and reoffending in South Australia and is supporting the State Government’s Reducing Reoffending -10% by 2020 initiative, Chief Executive, Nigel McBride said today.

Mr McBride said the Reducing Reoffending -10% by 2020 initiative aims to reduce the rate of reoffending by people leaving prison by 10% over the next three years with potential annual savings of up to $20.5 million a year.

Business SA has joined with Flinders University to conduct a survey to establish how business owner-managers in South Australia might be able to make a tangible contribution towards this goal with mentoring or employment opportunities.

“Crime is a problem for everyone and it’s time to address the real cost of crime and reoffending in this State,” Mr McBride said.

“Crime has a direct impact on the businesses and individuals who become victims of crime but it also has a much broader influence on the State’s economy and community,” he said.

“The State Government will spend $246 million on custodial costs alone in 2016 and has outlaid a further $350 million on building new prison bed capacity as the number of people in prison or on remand has climbed 86% in the past decade.

“If substantial savings could be made in these Budget outlays by reducing the extent of reoffending by former prisoners, these funds could be put to more productive use in supporting jobs and economic growth and much needed social services.”

Ms Nikki Govan, Deputy Chair of Business SA and a member of the Reducing Reoffending independent advisory panel, said research in the UK suggests that it’s possible to reduce re-offending rates by between one-third and a half if ex-offenders can secure employment after leaving prison.

“Reducing re-offending rates by 10% by 2020 would generate potential cost savings of $20 million per year,” Ms Govan said.

“However, there is more at stake here than a Budget line item. Beyond the direct economic and social cost, crime defines the nature of our society at a time when our community is coming under increasing strain with industry restructuring and high unemployment.

“The Reducing Reoffending -10% by 2020 initiative is a valuable step in the right direction and I urge as many South Australian businesses as possible to complete the survey.”

The survey is open to all members of the SA business community. It explores the extent to which owner-managers might be prepared to offer employment to an ex-offender and the incentives and support measures that might influence their perceptions and decision-making.

Respondents to the online survey, to be found at www.business-sa.com/reducingreoffending will have a chance to win a Microsoft Surface Pro 4. The survey will be open until 28 October 2016.

Media Contact Sonia Bavistock
Media & Communications Executive
0477 006 475
[email protected]