FURTHER law changes could be fashioned to stamp out the "twisted code of silence" bikie gangs use to avoid answering questions from authorities.
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has not ruled out such amendments to anti-bikie laws after a Brisbane justice found prison conditions would be too "harsh" for bikies and drastically reduced their sentences.
Three Sunshine Coast bikies were jailed for contempt after refusing to even swear an oath in Crime and Misconduct Commission star-chamber hearings to gather intelligence on criminal gangs.
Mr Bleijie said it was inappropriate to comment on these specific cases because he was considering an appeal.
Despite a backlash from the judiciary in applying the new laws introduced after a bikie brawl on the Gold Coast, Mr Bleijie vowed criminal gang members would do hard time if they broke the law.
"The best way for them to avoid jail is to stop committing crimes and answer the CMC's questions. It's an easy choice," he told APN.
"Our contempt amendments are designed to turn the gangs' twisted code of silence against them.
"They don't speak to police even when they're attacked by rival gangs, which allegedly leads to brawls in our streets and people getting shot.
"If criminal gang members continue to be held in contempt, then they face a mandatory two and a half years imprisonment and a further five years in jail for a third offence.
"The gangs need to realise that they are not above the law and if further legislative changes are required, we'll make them."
Justice Peter Applegarth said the men would be subjected to "extremely harsh" conditions inside the Woodford Correctional Centre's new bikie-only section.
The bikies would be in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, have restrictions on TV and gym use, limited access to communications and must wear pink jumpsuits.
Justice Applegarth said one day in solitary confinement would be equivalent to a week in a normal prison environment.
He reduced two sentences for contempt from four months to four weeks and the third sentence from six months six weeks.
Mr Bleijie had earlier told ABC radio that modern solitary confinement was no longer an "1800s image", with cells now having mattresses and natural light.
"It's a normal cell but they're in there by themselves and not allowed to meet and conspire," he said.
http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/bleijie-bikies-should-stop-crimes-and-answer-cmc-q/2118211/
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has not ruled out such amendments to anti-bikie laws after a Brisbane justice found prison conditions would be too "harsh" for bikies and drastically reduced their sentences.
Three Sunshine Coast bikies were jailed for contempt after refusing to even swear an oath in Crime and Misconduct Commission star-chamber hearings to gather intelligence on criminal gangs.
Mr Bleijie said it was inappropriate to comment on these specific cases because he was considering an appeal.
Despite a backlash from the judiciary in applying the new laws introduced after a bikie brawl on the Gold Coast, Mr Bleijie vowed criminal gang members would do hard time if they broke the law.
"The best way for them to avoid jail is to stop committing crimes and answer the CMC's questions. It's an easy choice," he told APN.
"Our contempt amendments are designed to turn the gangs' twisted code of silence against them.
"They don't speak to police even when they're attacked by rival gangs, which allegedly leads to brawls in our streets and people getting shot.
"If criminal gang members continue to be held in contempt, then they face a mandatory two and a half years imprisonment and a further five years in jail for a third offence.
"The gangs need to realise that they are not above the law and if further legislative changes are required, we'll make them."
Justice Peter Applegarth said the men would be subjected to "extremely harsh" conditions inside the Woodford Correctional Centre's new bikie-only section.
The bikies would be in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, have restrictions on TV and gym use, limited access to communications and must wear pink jumpsuits.
Justice Applegarth said one day in solitary confinement would be equivalent to a week in a normal prison environment.
He reduced two sentences for contempt from four months to four weeks and the third sentence from six months six weeks.
Mr Bleijie had earlier told ABC radio that modern solitary confinement was no longer an "1800s image", with cells now having mattresses and natural light.
"It's a normal cell but they're in there by themselves and not allowed to meet and conspire," he said.
http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/bleijie-bikies-should-stop-crimes-and-answer-cmc-q/2118211/