Correctional Services Monitoring Device Outage

In reply to Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (6 November 2018).

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing): I have been advised:

On 2 November 2018, the Department for Correctional Services' (DCS) Intensive Compliance Unit lost all communications with offenders via the electronic monitoring system due to a Telstra hardware failure. At the time of the outage, there were six offenders who were subject to electronic monitoring pursuant to section 66N of the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006. DCS main priority during the outage was community safety and in particular, the safety and wellbeing of registered victims.

When the outage occurred, DCS implemented contingency plans including implementing additional resources, and undertaking manual checks of offenders, via telephone calls and home visits, to confirm their locations. With the assistance of South Australia Police (SAPOL), higher risk offenders were targeted with additional checks and visits. A thorough review of victim and intervention order matters was undertaken to inform any relevant actions. No specific risk was identified that necessitated contact with a registered victim. ANCOR was promptly notified of the outage on the morning of 2 November 2018, so in addition to the contingencies that DCS and SAPOL (more broadly) put in place, ANCOR could also undertake any separate assessments and/or put any additional response protocols in place.