Prisoner transport changes following death

Mon Jul 26, 2010

A parliamentary inquiry has heard prisoner transport company G4S has not implemented all the recommendations of an inquiry into the death of an Aboriginal elder in the Goldfields two years ago.

Mr Ward died of heat stroke after a four hour journey in the back of a searing hot prison van operated by G4S.

The temperature inside the rear of the van is believed to have reached 50 degrees.

An inquiry by the Coroner Alistair Hope recommended a number of changes to the state's prisoner transport system, and G4S, after the death.

The Commissioner of the Department of Corrective Services, Ian Johnston, says G4S has implemented many of the recommendations but has been unable to provide practical training to workers in remote areas.

Mr Johnston says the system has improved and he is confident there will not be a repeat of the circumstances that led to Mr Ward's death.

He says there have been more than 500 air transfers of prisoners since October last year, which has become the preferred system for transfers.

More needed

Earlier this month, the Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan says while there have been many improvements to transport arrangements, more needs to be done.

He says priority areas include improving conditions at regional custody centres and police lockups.

Professor Morgan also says he is currently in discussions over legislation to give the Inspectorate the power to audit the passage of people through the custodial system.

He believes this would further enhance the accountability of the system and reduce the risk of further deaths in the way Mr Ward died.

Sourer: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/26/2964381.htm