The " Bail house " option.

Some time ago the state government tightened bail laws when it was revealed that those on bail were using their freedom to create more crime. Bail had become a " revolving door " and new procedures restricted the options open to magistrates.
Unfortunately this created a new problem. The state simply did not have enough gaol cells to accommodate the influx of new remand prisoners - and unsuitable alternatives were pushed into service.
One of these was the holding cells under Wollongong court house. These are designed to hold prisoners during the day while their trial is in progress. They were not intended for overnight accommodation and there is no provision for a shower, discussion with lawyers or any form of exercise. Meals are usually take away from McDonalds.
The cells are designed for eighteen prisoners. Research reveals that up to twenty-three remand prisoners are housed there, often for days at a time.
It has been suggested that a new approach to remand prisoners is needed. Not all prisoners are suitable for bail - but then again not all such prisoners need to be incarcerated in cells 24/7. Perhaps the answer would be a " Bail house " where remand prisoners could be released during the day to attend to their jobs and who would be required to present themselves at the end of work for lock-up during the night.
In that way their normal way of earning a living could be preserved. In many cases remand prisoners are held for matters that are unlikely to result in a custodial sentence, and yet the time spent in restraint on remand destroys relationships, causes employment to be terminated, mortgages to go unpaid - and generally presents the prisoner with an economic and social disaster.
There is also the matter of economics for the state. It costs about $ 200 a day to hold a remand prisoner in some sort of gaol. A " Bail house " option would be cheaper - and would greatly enhance the prospect of rehabilitation because normal life options would be preserved.