Department for Correctional Services, $412,822,000

Membership:

Ms Wortley substituted for Ms Stinson.

Minister:

Hon. V.A. Tarzia, Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

Departmental Advisers:

Mr D. Brown, Chief Executive, Department for Correctional Services.

Mr C. Sexton, Executive Director, People and Business Services, Department for Correctional Services.

Ms M. Deer, Manager Executive Services, Department for Correctional Services.

The CHAIR: Welcome back to Estimates Committee A for the afternoon session. The portfolio for this session is the Department for Correctional Services. The minister appearing is the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. I declare the proposed payments open for examination. Minister, would you like to introduce your advisers, please, and make a short statement if you wish.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Thank you, Mr Chair. I have only a brief statement again if I may, please. I will begin by introducing those who are with me today, and good afternoon, members. We have to my left Mr David Brown, Chief Executive, Department for Correctional Services. Behind him, we have Mr Chris Sexton, Executive Director People and Business Services, Department for Correctional Services; and also Megan Deer, Manager Executive Services, Department for Correctional Services.

I might take the opportunity to say thank you and to speak to the efforts of the Department for Correctional Services in keeping the South Australian community safe and strong. This effort is especially recognised as a result of the continued hard work and professionalism shown by all staff during this COVID-19 emergency, including during what has been a recent escalation.

As you can appreciate, a health emergency within an environment as complex as a prison system carries a unique risk, and since the start of the pandemic the department has been working to a COVID-19 mission statement of 'Hold and be ready'. This approach is aimed at preventing, preparing and responding to an outbreak and is inclusive of clear procedures for contact tracing and taking a highly cautious, precautionary approach to operations.

You may recall that just prior to our last estimates hearing a Yatala Labour Prison staff member had returned a positive test to COVID-19 but, due to the diligence of all staff and the rapid response undertaken, by working side by side with SA Health, there were no further positive cases and no spread to the custodial setting. I am pleased that this has also been the case with regard to the recent Modbury cluster. DCS staff have again gone above and beyond to keep the prison system COVID-19 free, and I extend my most sincere thanks to all for their efforts during this difficult time.

I would also like to place on the record my great appreciation to those DCS staff who have rolled up their sleeves and received their COVID-19 vaccinations. As they are working in frontline services, DCS staff have been encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves, their loved ones and the South Australian community more broadly.

While the number of people vaccinated increases daily, the latest data reflects that close to 60 per cent of frontline DCS sites across all sites have received their first vaccination and that 35 per cent have received their second dose. These figures do not include those from the prison officer count who may have elected to receive their vaccine in the community, and there are, of course, other departmental staff who have been vaccinated out in the community.

With regard to the prison population, as at 23 July 2021 more than 1,308 prisoners have had their first vaccination and over 847 have had their second dose. Vaccination, as we know, is our pathway out of this emergency, and I thank those individuals for helping to keep us all safe.

I am confident that, with the support of our government, the Department for Correctional Services remains firmly committed to the safety of the South Australian community.

The CHAIR: Thank you, minister. Member for Elizabeth, would you like to make a short statement?

Mr ODENWALDER: Yes, a very short one, really just to echo the minister's respect for the management team and the executive team at DCS. I can only imagine what a difficult thing it is to manage a prison system in the face of a virus, particularly in the case of lockdowns. Of course, we will probably get to some questions about that.

I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 105, which deals with rehabilitation and reparation and refers to the 10by20 strategy. We have spoken many times about the 10by20 strategy in this place. I think that there has largely been a bipartisan approach to it, or at least I hope that will continue. Minister, are you on track to achieving a 10 per cent reduction in recidivism by the relevant time of the 2020 figures?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I thank the member for the question. As we know, repeat offenders, unfortunately, are responsible for a large proportion of crime in the state, and by focusing on reducing reoffending and improving rehabilitation, and also reintegration outcomes, our community will be safer overall with fewer victims and less crime.

As the member alluded to, in August 2016 the former government set a bipartisan target to reduce the rate of reoffending by 10 per cent by 2020. To progress the initiative a Strategic Policy Panel was appointed, which was tasked with investigating best practice in correctional services policy to identify strategies that reduce rates of reoffending and also promote rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes.

In December 2016, the panel's report was endorsed by the then cabinet and released publicly. It set out a number of overarching strategies underpinned by a number of individual recommendations. In 2017 a plan was released, and following the election our government confirmed our bipartisan commitment to the strategy.

In terms of where it is at the moment, a 2014-15 Report into Government Services (RoGS) reported that 46 per cent of offenders in SA returned to corrective services either through community corrections or prison within two years. This was used as a baseline measure for the 10by20 strategy. The 10by20 Strategic Policy Panel Report then set a reoffending rate target of 41.4 per cent.

The most recent published RoGS data for the financial year 2019-20 identified a decrease of 46 per cent to 42.3 per cent. By the way, that is the lowest rate of return to corrective services in Australia, which is obviously something to be proud of, but note that that rate pertains to those released two years prior and returning to corrective services within 2019-20.

As mentioned, though, offenders are also tracked for a two-year period, and therefore the reoffending rate for prisoners released in the financial year 2019-20 will not be known until the beginning of 2023. To answer the member's question, it seems to be on track and doing well, but obviously we will not fully know for some time to come. It is progressing well and I think it is an excellent bipartisan commitment.

Mr ODENWALDER: So you are expecting the figure to be 36 per cent, according to the January 2023 RoGS report? That is your expectation, if I am following this correctly?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Both measures are trending down over the longer term. The member is referring to a return to prison whereas I was talking about a return to Correctional Services. That was the 42.3 per cent figure, which is the lowest in the nation. We are trending well on both measures, but the member is referring to a return to prison versus a return to Correctional Services. They are two slightly different measures. A return to Correctional Services was the measure that was used in the 10by20 strategy, but of course we take an interest in both and we are doing very well in both.

Mr ODENWALDER: So you will achieve a 10 per cent reduction in the return to Correctional Services rate, and it will be reported in January 2023 that that has been the case?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: It is trending that way. That is our goal and our target. We will not know for a little while, but we hope so and it is trending well.

Mr ODENWALDER: That moment in time has passed, has it not? That is 30 June that has just passed?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Offenders are tracked for a two-year period. Therefore, the reoffending rate for prisoners released in the financial year 2019-20 will not be known until the beginning of 2023, upon release of the RoGS data. That result will be the final reportable rate of return to corrective services for the strategy. The final report on 10by20 will be released in 2023 and DCS anticipates very positive results in the reoffending rate by that year.

Mr ODENWALDER: I should clarify this: so it refers to prisoners who have been released by 30 June just passed and then they are tracked as to whether they come back or not; that is right, is it not?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Correct.

Mr ODENWALDER: One highlight mentions 'expanded rehabilitation initiatives including criminogenic programs'. Can you outline what they are and how they are going to contribute to this project so late in the piece?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Whilst rehabilitation programs are essential to the 10by20 strategy, obviously there is always an ongoing focus on rehabilitation. That goes without saying. The department's commitment to, for example, Closing the Gap and addressing over-representation of Aboriginal people is extremely important. A number of programs are currently delivered across a whole range of sites not only in prisons but also in Community Corrections.

In terms of the highlights, there has certainly been improved access to culturally appropriate alcohol and other drugs support for Aboriginal prisoners or offenders by formalising partnerships with groups like the Aboriginal Sobriety Group, the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA), as well as a specialist substance addiction counselling service for people in prison to access during the pandemic, which resulted in limitations on traditional service partners being able to access prisons. There was increased access to drug and alcohol counselling services for individuals imprisoned within the prison system through partnerships with the NGO sector.

In partnership with Carey Training, Workskil, through the Work Ready, Release Ready program, delivered the first pilot of the Road to Redemption program, which was a specialist employment training program for Aboriginal people supervised in community. That pilot resulted in over 80 per cent of participants securing jobs within the first three weeks of graduation, which is excellent.

In partnership with TAFE SA, a pilot program was implemented for prisoners at Mobilong Prison, who were trained in meat processing techniques to provide a post-release pathway for employment in the meat processing industry. I visited Mobilong with the member for Hammond. I was certainly grateful to have the member for Hammond with me when I was walking through that yard. There were no issues, but it is in his electorate.

The revised Domestic and Family Violence Intervention Program was implemented, resulting in a 100 per cent more intensive program for men in prison and community. In partnership with Women's Safety Services South Australia, a specialist support program was implemented for women in prison who had been victimised by domestic and family violence. There is also of course the High Intensity Treatment (HIT) program, which is an excellent program. This is a new holistic rehabilitation and case management service for high-risk offenders subject to ongoing monitoring under the ESO (extended supervision orders) scheme, and it goes on. So there is much done and much to be done, but many of those programs are there.

Mr ODENWALDER: I think we all agree that part of the rehabilitation project for many prisoners is providing them with housing to go to. You will remember—or you may not remember—that in the 2018 budget funding was cut for the trial of a program called New Foundations. It was intended to link offenders to appropriate housing upon their release from prison in an effort to reduce reoffending. At the time, the government said they intended to return to market to conduct another trial. Has this trial taken place and what were the results? I guess my real question is: has it resulted in more options for housing for former prisoners?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Member for Elizabeth, I will take the question on notice because it does relate to past statements that were made, but I will also pass to Mr Brown from the department to provide maybe more of a general response as well.

Mr BROWN: In respect to running a further specific trial in the market, that did not proceed on the basis of, from my recollection, the position of the market at the time and the ability to garner interest in that concept. What we have done, though, throughout the last financial year is to employ some rapid initiatives, which internally we have referred to as our Boost program for 10by20.

One of our Boost initiatives was to engage intensive housing support officers within the department to work directly with housing providers, including Housing SA and the community housing sector. At a recent executive meeting, we were very pleased to note that those housing officers have just passed 200 people who they have supported into accommodation, both in the private rental market and in the community housing sector. So that internal initiative, alongside programs like our home detention program, has had a positive impact on housing.

Mr ODENWALDER: This may be a complex question, but how do you assess if a prisoner needs housing as part of their rehabilitation? What is the process they go through and are there any groups who are particularly favoured in such a process?

Mr BROWN: It is quite a technical question, depending on what housing market you are tapping into, but our intensive housing officers, in particular, have focused on people on a pathway to parole or home detention. Often, the housing need is identified by the assessment staff preparing the report for the relevant authority that is making the decision about suitability for release to those programs.

We also have a housing coordination officer who, in particular, supports the Integrated Housing Exit Program, which is delivered in partnership with the Department of Human Services and which specifically targets short-term offenders who are quite often homeless when they come into custody and are often on remand and in custody for less than 12 months. They are two very different cohorts, if you like, that we target.

The third area is that we continue through Anglicare to support the Bail Accommodation Support Program, another very successful program under 10by20. Anglicare not only run the Bail Accommodation Support Program but work with participants in that program to find stable, ongoing accommodation in the community so that they can transition out of the bail facility.

Mr ODENWALDER: Minister, are you able to tell the committee if, in simple terms, we are housing more prisoners now in the last financial year than we did in, say, 2017-18? Has there been an improvement in the housing immediately of prisoners?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: From an anecdotal point of view, I would say, yes, we have, but I do not have that data in front of me.

Mr ODENWALDER: Would you take that on notice and get some data back to the committee?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: We will take that on notice to the extent that we are able to provide answers, yes.

Mr ODENWALDER: I appreciate that, thank you. I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 108, COVID responses, and the agency response to the coronavirus. Are incoming prisoners routinely tested for COVID-19?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Obviously, the health and safety of all DCS staff, prisoners, offenders and visitors are of paramount importance. DCS also acknowledge that the threat of any infectious disease within a workplace can cause potential anxiety and in particular in an environment with operational complexities, as is the case in a custodial setting. I am informed, yes, they are. I also have some COVID-specific data if the member is interested.

Mr ODENWALDER: Yes.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: As at 29 July 2021, 6,779 prisoners have been surveillance tested for COVID-19, all of which have produced a negative result, which is excellent. With regard to vaccinations—obviously that is another matter—that number is growing daily. However, the most recent data from SAPHS, obtained as at 23 July, indicates that a number of staff, prisoners and health staff have been vaccinated as part of the prison vaccination program as well. It is going very well and I am happy to provide those numbers to the member.

Mr ODENWALDER: What was the figure of the number of guards vaccinated currently?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: So prisoners currently vaccinated?

Mr ODENWALDER: No, guards. I will get to prisoners. I thought you just mentioned a number.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Obviously this does not count if officers have gone out privately and got their own treatments. In terms of officers, doses of AZ and Pfizer, first dose, 877, second dose, 517. When talking about officers, as a percentage, for the first dose that is 59 per cent and the second shot for officers, we are talking about 35 per cent. That is definitely higher than—

Mr ODENWALDER: Slightly higher than the population.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes, certainly. Of course, the officer count does not include officers who may have elected to receive their vaccine in the community. Prisoners captured in the data may have also been discharged later. There are some things that need to be pointed out. Of course, Community Corrections, Intensive Compliance Unit and Central Office staff are vaccinated off site. Whilst DCS may not have access to some of that data, self reporting is located on the department's intranet site as well. It is going well and is certainly higher than the rest of the community, for sure.

Mr ODENWALDER: Are you aware of any significant delays in prison officers who want to be vaccinated who cannot be vaccinated through that program?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: It is a credit to Mr Brown and his team that it has been very good. I am certainly not aware of any delays.

Mr ODENWALDER: Back to COVID tests for prisoners, you said that it was mandatory or that you routinely tested for COVID. Has any prisoner refused and, if so, what happens with them?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I am advised, member for Elizabeth, that prisoners are surveillance tested, unless they are symptomatic, in which case they can be tested at the time that they are symptomatic. The numbers of refusals remain very low.

Mr ODENWALDER: What is the penalty for refusal? If it is a routine test that you conduct on incoming prisoners—we are talking about incoming prisoners.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I think then community health standards apply. I might get Mr Brown to elaborate.

Mr BROWN: Generally speaking, we apply the community standard in terms of people who elect not to get tested. At the moment, as the community as a whole responds to the Modbury cluster, all new admissions are in protective quarantine. So they are separated in a cell and they are surveillance tested on admission. They are follow-up tested on day 5 and then they are follow-up tested on day 13.

In this current state of the emergency, if those people refuse to be tested, then they will not come out of protective quarantine. But I have not had any reports of that occurring at this stage. We have had surveillance testing in place now since April-May 2020. I could get the specific dates. The proportion of offenders who elect not to be tested is extremely low and they are always followed up by staffing in the subsequent days to encourage them to get a test. But we do collect that data, so if the minister would like to take that part on notice, I would be happy to provide it.

Mr ODENWALDER: I would appreciate that, thank you.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes, I am happy to take that part on notice.

Mr ODENWALDER: I will go to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 108, custodial services. The minister will be aware that the Office of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption conducted an examination of the Department for Correctional Services and made some findings—pretty disturbing findings. I will quote from the report. These are the deputy commissioner's words:

I was concerned by the many examples of bullying and harassment I received during the course of the evaluation. Of course I acknowledge that in some cases, perceptions of bullying and harassment may closely align with attempts to appropriately and fairly address the poor performance of a staff member. That might be amplified during periods where staff are required to transition to a new ways of discharging their duties.

He goes on to say:

An alarming 86.0% of staff in operations roles who responded to the evaluation survey indicated that they had witnessed bullying or harassment of staff over the last two years. The proportion was even higher for respondents working in operations manager/supervisor roles (90.2%).

And it goes on. My first question, minister, is: have you read the report?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes.

Mr ODENWALDER: What steps have you taken to address the issues raised in the report?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: It is an important issue, so I might take members through the background of the evaluation. In 2020, the CE of DCS met with the ICAC commissioner and then deputy ICAC commissioner. It was a meeting to discuss the commissioner's intention to conduct an evaluation of the department's practices, policies and procedures. The evaluation of DCS sought to identify any areas of improvement while highlighting systems and practices we have in place that already safeguard against such risks. We also acknowledge the challenging and complex nature of the custodial environment.

Whilst ICAC has a responsibility to assess and, where appropriate, investigate allegations of corruption or misconduct in public administration, it also has a separate responsibility to evaluate the practices, policies and procedures of an agency to identify risks and make recommendations as to where and how an agency can improve. Of course, ICAC has conducted similar evaluations across a number of areas of public administration—for example, the City of Playford, SafeWork SA, the Public Trustee and the Police Ombudsman. The evaluation process included:

collection of relevant documents relating to DCS practices, policies and procedures;

a staff survey and also an opportunity for written submissions;

staff interviews;

key stakeholder interviews; and

opportunities for the public and interested stakeholders to make written submissions.

This was an evaluation, not necessarily an investigation into any specific allegations. I am advised that DCS did cooperate with aspects of the evaluation. The draft report was received by DCS in May. DCS was also invited to make a submission. From there, DCS provided a submission that included a cover letter, a response plan and issues log—DCS requested this document be included—and a response with regard to the publication of documents. The submission highlighted four overarching themes identified by the department as being worthy of consideration. They were:

the uniqueness of the Corrections environment, as I was alluding to, which by its nature attracts a higher level of complaint than other areas of the Public Service, as it does, but probably consistent with other jurisdictions;

the point in time factors that would in part be reflected in the observations made by some staff, noting that the period in which the evaluation was conducted was a time of significant reform directly related to prison operations, which it did;

certain difficulties presented when implementing change within a highly industrialised environment—of course, not everybody has always agreed with some of those aspects; and

efforts to build cultural, gendered and professional diversity, especially in leaderships positions. When you look at the workforce as a whole, that is not always welcomed by all.

For some, the renewed focus on merit has been perceived to be at their expense. There have obviously been some who have been challenged by that. This change has challenged their status quo. It could be perceived by some as a demonstration of perception of favouritism, but of course it would not.

The final report was tabled in parliament on 24 June. It is pleasing to note that in the final report some of the key things from the DCS submission, in addition to the reform to practices and processes. were highlighted. The report highlights include references to:

the excellent suite of policies and procedures already in the department;

Shaping Corrections, as the staff-led continuous improvement initiative;

the establishment of the Office for Correctional Services Review as the primary investigative, complaint, audit and review unit;

the positive impact of the Better Prisons initiatives; and

ongoing efforts that have been made by current executives to increase transparency, staff engagement and to build a flexible and diverse workforce.

The evaluation included staff survey responses, a majority of which relate to the custodial environment.

The survey sample was only reflective of a small percentage of the department's overall workforce, or approximately 2,000 people. It is acknowledged, however, that whilst there are perceptions and observations made by some that are cause for concern, particularly those responses that pointed to bullying, harassment, misuse of sick leave and overtime and other examples of unethical practices, the observed behaviours are certainly not acceptable.

They can place the safety and security of the prison system at risk of being compromised. It is also a reasonable expectation that all DCS staff should feel that such activity is properly dealt with at a management level. DCS accepted all 24 recommendations, and this was confirmed to the commissioner in a letter from the DCS chief executive dated 29 July. All 24 recommendations have been accepted.

In addition to the response plan, DCS has also engaged key stakeholders to assist in navigating an effective outcome that supports both the department and the broader government. Those strategies include that in June 2021 the DCS CE wrote to the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, the Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance, the Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and the General Secretary of the Public Sector Association with regard to the evaluation and the DCS response. The correspondence welcomed the opportunity to further discuss evaluation with these key stakeholders.

DCS has also established the ICAC Response Executive Oversight Committee. This provides an oversight of the management and implementation of the response plan. The terms of reference, if members are interested, are still being finalised, but the membership will include external representation. This will ensure accountability and transparency, as well as much-valued expertise and critical advice.

The membership will include Ms Jodeen Carney, Commissioner for Equal Opportunity; Ms Erma Ranieri, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment; Mr Martyn Campbell, Executive Director SafeWork SA; and Ms Jan Shuard PSM, former Victorian Corrections Commissioner and also a member of the DCS Risk and Performance Committee. So there are some very heavy hitters on that committee.

In addition to acting upon the 24 recommendations, DCS has used the ICAC evaluation as a mechanism to capture some linked perceptions and observations highlighted in the recent Commissioner for Public Sector Employment 'I Work For SA: Your Voice' survey. It goes without saying that the majority of DCS staff are absolutely committed to transparency, professionalism and quality service. The ICAC evaluation will certainly be used to drive further positive organisational change.

Mr ODENWALDER: That is the survey part of the ICAC report. There is a lot in there, but I take it on face value that the department is addressing that in those ways, and that is a good thing. The report goes on to talk about complaints and reports received by the OPI from September 2013. In that initial year, and given that it started later in the financial year, there were 14, and in 2014-15 there was a total of 49 reports and complaints about the department. That rose to 110 in 2019-20 and 113 in 2020-21. Can you explain that rise?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: That is something we are happy to take on notice. The ICAC commissioner receives the complaints, but just because you have received a complaint does not necessarily mean there is a proven case. However, I do not have any plausible or confident explanation for why those complaints have gone up, given that I personally do not receive the complaints.

Mr ODENWALDER: If it is possible, could you take that on notice and bring a report back to the committee?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: To the extent we are able, we will take that on notice, but I am not sure how much information we will get back. We can certainly take it on notice.

Mr ODENWALDER: Of these complaints, nearly 20 per cent raised a potential issue of corruption, according to the report. What you have said notwithstanding, could you advise if any of those reached the DPP or prosecution stage and what the outcomes of those investigations were—apart from the recently publicised one late last year? How many of those other reports about corruption—nearly 20 per cent, or some 540 over the last eight years—have been substantiated or are still being investigated?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I thank the member for the question. Obviously, we would only investigate matters that are referred to us in the department. What I might say is that, in terms of staff who are facing criminal charges, it goes without saying that the government is absolutely committed to ensuring the integrity of our correctional system and DCS certainly sets the highest standards for employee conduct.

Depending on the individual circumstances, an employee may be permitted to continue working or be directed out of the workplace, or be suspended with pay or suspended without pay depending on the outcome of a criminal matter. The member would be aware that there was recent legislative reform, which is a good thing, that is part of the now-enacted Correctional Services (Accountability and Other Measures) Act. We believe that will certainly further enhance staff accountability and also integrity measures already in place.

To the member's earlier question, as at 28 July 2021, seven current DCS employees are facing criminal charges. The government is absolutely committed to ensuring the integrity of our correctional system. DCS certainly sets the highest standards for employee conduct. As I said, depending on the individual circumstances, an employee may be permitted to continue working or be directed out of the workplace, or be suspended with pay or suspended without pay pending the outcome of a criminal matter.

Mr ODENWALDER: I refer to Budget Paper 5, Budget Measures Statement, page 16, critical security upgrades at the ARC. Minister, can you outline first of all the need for the security upgrades and the nature of these security upgrades?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: So $1.9 million of investment funding has been allocated in the 2021-22 budget for what are targeted critical security upgrades at the ARC. This investment in the perimeter security and electronic security upgrade involves upgrades to thermal cameras, increasing the overall number of cameras, upgrading existing perimeter cameras and the ARC Latitude video management system, and providing microwave detection at a higher level along Phillip Street.

There has obviously been an investment in the ARC kitchen remediation works, which includes the replacement of the entire kitchen ceiling. An additional level of security to the ceiling will be added in the form of Spac Deckform, which is an interlocking metal panel system that will be affixed to the new ceiling. That system is in use at correctional facilities in other jurisdictions. Early detection technologies in the ceiling space are also included as part of the electronic security upgrade.

The scope of works also includes installation of an anti-climb mesh screen on the Phillip Street facade, which are the glass bricks at the rear of the prison. In terms of perimeter security and electronic security upgrades, specialist advice was engaged by DCS to undertake a review of the ARC perimeter security system. The ARC perimeter security review and electronic security systems report presented several key findings and recommendations.

Works completed to date include the cleaning and calibration of all cameras and commencing a full review of the current camera and operating systems to ensure security at the site is maintained. The roof safety systems have also been enhanced to enable ongoing testing and cleaning. Serco engaged specialist advice, including architects and structural engineers for the kitchen ceiling and void areas to conduct a site inspection and provide options to address any vulnerabilities.

There were a number of options presented in the ARC kitchen remediation works report and Serco presented their preferred option to DCS to achieve structural security detection systems. These works include the installation of an anti-climb mesh screen on the Phillip Street facade at the rear of the prison, and works continue.

Mr ODENWALDER: Did the need for this security upgrade grow out of the report on the escape of Jason Burdon, which was prepared for you?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes.

Mr ODENWALDER: Do you plan to release any of that report?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: No.

Mr ODENWALDER: Did the report identify any issue related to staffing levels or staff-to-prisoner ratios at the ARC which might have contributed to the escape of Jason Burdon?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: The department's performance and risk committee has maintained oversight of the cure plan, and the deputy chair of the committee, Ms Jan Shuard, is also a member of the EOC. DCS continues a risk-based assurance program measuring Serco's compliance against what are standing operating procedures. I can certainly advise that DCS compliance staff have attended the site regularly to ensure adherence to departmental standards.

Mr ODENWALDER: My question was: did the report identify any issue related to staffing levels or staff-to-prisoner ratios at the ARC which might have contributed to the escape of Jason Burdon?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: No.

Mr ODENWALDER: It did not?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: No.

Mr ODENWALDER: That brings me to the latest escape, and I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 108, custodial services. How exactly did the prisoner Kurtley Doolan escape from custody in Port Augusta on 11 July?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Obviously any escape in any custodial setting is completely unacceptable. I do recall seeing that the Labor Party had 60 in 16 years. In terms of this most recent one, whilst the matter at hand is subject to an internal and also a criminal investigation, can I say I am very grateful to South Australia Police for their very prompt work. In fact, I had a press conference today with SAPOL and I did mention to them that we had estimates and I did congratulate one of the officers there on being able to catch this particular person and apprehend him as quickly as possible.

What I can say is that DCS worked closely with SAPOL to assist with efforts to locate Mr Doolan. He was arrested on 13 July. I also acknowledge the former correctional services minister who has just entered. Mr Doolan has been charged with escape from custody, cause harm with intent worker/other/unknown, recklessly cause harm worker/other/unknown, and damage building or motor vehicle not graffiti or unknown, and he is due before the court on 20 October 2021 in relation to the new charges.

I also understand that the G4S officer received medical treatment following the incident and was discharged from Port Augusta Hospital the same day. The incident is now a criminal matter, and it is subject to internal investigation by the department and G4S. I reiterate to the member for Elizabeth and to the committee that any escape from custody is unacceptable, and I will continue to receive regular updates from the department. Obviously, it is a criminal matter and subject to internal investigation.

Mr ODENWALDER: Will G4S be fined for failing to keep Doolan in custody?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Any sanction would obviously occur following the completion of those investigations. Whilst I do not have the contract in front of me, if there is a sanction then that would be applied in the case that it is able to be applied, but we are waiting for that investigation to come forward.

Mr ODENWALDER: What is the maximum sanction?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Again, that would be a contractual matter. I do not have that in front of me. I am happy to take that on notice for the member.

Mr ODENWALDER: How many guards were guarding Doolan at the time of his escape?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Again, I appreciate the member's question and concern in this matter, but it has always been the case that those sorts of operational staffing details would not be disclosed at this point in time because obviously investigations are underway on that matter, just like I do not think they were disclosed when 60 people escaped during Labor's 16 years in office.

Mr ODENWALDER: Given that you will not tell us how many people were guarding Doolan, at any point did the guard or guards not have effective sight of the prisoner?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: The content that the member raises is certainly valid and important, but that will be deliberated and considered in the investigations that are underway at the moment.

Mr ODENWALDER: When do you expect the internal investigation to be completed?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I think that the investigations are certainly happening much quicker these days than they have happened in the past. From our point of view, we certainly want them to be done expeditiously. I do not have that information in front of me. I am advised, hopefully within six weeks.

Mr ODENWALDER: Is that contingent at all on the criminal investigation, or are the two things entirely separate?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Not that I am aware of at the moment. That is the most recent information I have at the moment.

Mr ODENWALDER: Do you expect a report to be provided to you with recommendations on how this might be avoided in the future?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Obviously there will be operational data that is captured in that report. I would expect the head of DCS, Mr Brown, to be well briefed on that report and then, of course, in turn he will come to me as minister if, for example, there may be a place for government to look at working with DCS in terms of legislative reform, policies or funding moving forward. Mr Brown will certainly be briefed and then in turn he will have discussions with me as minister.

Mr ODENWALDER: In the 2018 budget, the government announced a $28 million efficiency cut over four years, which included 161 FTE job losses plus an increase in casualisation and part-time work in prison. Is it the minister's position that these cuts have not contributed at all to lapses in security and therefore increased risk to the public?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I do not necessarily accept the premise of the question. What I will say is that the state government announced on 4 September 2018 the Better Prisons program as part of the 2018-19 budget, and Better Prisons is a major reform initiative aimed at reducing reoffending by improving the quality, safety and efficiency of our prison system. It includes four overarching strategies, including increasing capacity, improving competition, improving accountability and improving workforce flexibility.

We have seen a number of aspects that talk to increasing capacity, including extra beds being built. In terms of improving competition, we know about the transfer of certain operations in the past. In the past, DCS had increased private sector involvement in service delivery by transferring the operations of the ARC to a private provider through what was a competitive procurement process. In terms of benchmarking reform, the Better Prisons benchmarking reform involves the development of a benchmark budget and post model, the implementation of key performance indicators and the development of prison performance agreements for all SA public prisons.

Reduction in FTEs has been managed at an individual site level, dependent upon operational needs. In terms of key performance indicators, as part of the benchmarking initiative DCS has established 12 KPIs for public prisons. Each prison will be measured against the same KPIs with differing targets based upon the role and the function of each site. Implementing the KPIs will enable the department to measure how each prison is performing across a range of areas, and they are well publicised.

One of the good things about this area of reform is improving workplace flexibility. DCS continues to progress the introduction of workforce flexibility, including the introduction of part-time and casual correctional officers, giving more people the opportunity to work in our system; the procurement and implementation of a new rostering system, introducing an IT rostering solution that allows for controlled labour costs, compliance, increased operational efficiencies—I could keep going; this is all good stuff.

Mr ODENWALDER: Will the results of the benchmarking be released publicly periodically? Can we see whether those KPIs are being met?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I will get an update on those in early 2022. At the moment, we are internally testing and measuring those KPIs.

Ms WORTLEY: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 108, and Budget Paper 5, page 17. With regard to the construction of the 270 new beds at Yatala, what is the expected increase in prison officers generated by this? While you are looking that up, minister, will these be new positions or will it also include transfers in from the outer regions?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I am advised that those decisions are not yet made, but those funding decisions will be made as part of a future budget bid.

Ms WORTLEY: As a follow-up on that, what is the number of prison officers transferred in 2019, 2020 and 2021 from Mobilong, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier prisons to Yatala prison?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: That is certainly a question I will have to take on notice for the member. I am happy to do that. I do not have those details in front of me.

Ms WORTLEY: That would be appreciated.

The CHAIR: Having reached the allotted time, I declare the examination of the proposed payments for the Department for Correctional Services complete.

Sitting suspended from 14:45 to 15:00.