WA Dept Corrective Services News and Media Releases: Court Security and Custodial Services Contract

Court Security and Custodial Services Contract

16 Jul 2010

The following can be attributed to Commissioner Ian Johnson.
The Department of Corrective Services has acknowledged a report by the Inspector of Custodial Services, outlining the issues and performance of the Court Security and Custodial Services Contract in Western Australia.

As mentioned in the report itself, the majority of findings are based on information some 12 months old and, in part, older. However the report does acknowledge the vast steps forward taken by the agency in the last 12 months.

It should also be noted that report acknowledges that Western Australia has stronger systems of public accountability and independent scrutiny of custodial services than other jurisdictions.

Since the tragic death of Mr Ward and the subsequent Coronial inquest, the Department has not lost any enthusiasm for or commitment to the implementation of recommendations made by the Coroner and continues to look at ways to reduce the need for transporting prisoners in the first instance and how the safety and security of those who have to be transported can be improved.

In addition to implementing the recommendations of the Coroner’s findings, it is important to highlight that DCS initiated significant remedial action immediately following Mr Ward’s death and has continued to implement improvements over and above those suggested by the Coroner.

Designated vehicles were withdrawn from the fleet and all remaining vehicles from the existing fleet (that is, the fleet that was in operation at the time of Mr Ward’s death) have had updated duress alarms and remote temperature monitoring installed.

Vehicles that were being used for long distance hauls were replaced with long distance coaches and air charter services were introduced for a number of remote and regional prisoner transfers. Inter-prison transfers between Perth, Greenough, Roebourne and Broome are now conducted by air, and contracts for air charter services are in place in the Kimberley and Goldfields regions.

The Departments’ fleet replacement program is currently in progress and on schedule. As at 16 July 2010, 26 new vehicles were in service with five more currently undergoing fit out. The replacement fleet is based on the approved Minimum Guidelines for Secure Escort Vehicles. The fleet replacement program is on track to be completed by the end of 2010.

Significantly improved National Guidelines for Corrections in Australia regarding prisoner transport were officially endorsed by the Corrective Services Ministers of all Australian jurisdictions, at the recent Corrective Services Ministers’ Conference in Canberra.

While the report points at deficiencies in the management of the contract it also notes improvements during 2009 and early 2010.
Cancellations of transport for medical appointment are now less than 3% due to the introduction of the Royal Perth Hospital Secure Facility, contractual changes, staff increases and additional fleet vehicles.

With the Contract due to expire at the end of this service year and no further extension options available, the Department has re-evaluated the service design and governance, performance objectives, and sourcing of the services provided.

As a result, the Department will soon tender for a service provider to deliver the services from 31 July 2011.

ENDS

Source: http://www.correctiveservices.wa.gov.au/_apps/news/detail.aspx?uid=2473-...