PORT AUGUSTA PRISON

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:21): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement about the Port Augusta Prison.

Leave granted.

Members interjecting:

An honourable member: We've got it under control.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: We certainly have got it under control. I have sought leave to make a ministerial statement about a serious incident that occurred at Port Augusta Prison last week and to provide the chamber with some facts about the current management of our state's correctional services system. As honourable members would be aware, on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 October there was an incident at Port Augusta Prison. This matter is now subject to both a departmental and a criminal investigation by SAPOL. While many aspects of this incident are still to be fully investigated, I would like to provide some important information to this chamber.

I can advise the chamber that shortly before 4pm on Thursday 9 October 2008 the incident occurred in Bluebush Unit 3 at Port Augusta Prison. This is part of the high security section within the inner perimeter of the prison. I am advised that officers noticed a number of prisoners who were in an agitated state and, because of the aggressive nature of the prisoners, the area was immediately secured and staff withdrew. Thankfully, no staff member was injured. The safety and welfare of staff in the correctional services system is always considered to be of paramount importance. Port Augusta Prison that day (last Thursday) had five vacant beds, and across the prison system there were more than 50 vacant beds on that day. The number of beds in use on the day of the incident was 50 less than the capacity of the system. That capacity level is agreed and accepted by the Public Service Association, the union that represents prison officers.

Initial investigations have suggested that this incident resulted as a response of some prisoners to the cancellation of an exercise session. The immediate action taken by DCS officers was aimed at protecting prison officers. The safety of departmental staff and the good order of the system is of the utmost priority. The prison's emergency response group was alerted, all other prisoners were secured in their cells, and SAPOL and other emergency services were notified. Police arrived and assumed control of the situation consistent with the agreed procedures between the two agencies. After 24 hours of negotiation, the prisoners concluded their protest peacefully and officers were able to resume control of the facility. I thank the SAPOL officers and other emergency services personnel for their professionalism in responding to this incident.

It is regrettable that the resources of SAPOL and emergency services had to be used because of the reckless and completely unwarranted action of the prisoners. The government does not intend to relinquish control of the prison system to inmates, some of whom have been convicted of heinous crimes such as murder, rape and armed robbery. They have been imprisoned as punishment for their crimes and are not in a position to dictate the terms of their punishment.

Damage to the facility is extensive and, as a result, it has been necessary to remove all prisoners from Units 3 and 4 of Bluebush Division requiring the relocation of approximately 90 prisoners. Some prisoners have been transferred to Adelaide facilities while others remain at Port Augusta Prison. The City Watch House is also currently being used to accommodate remand prisoners. A detailed assessment of the damage is still being prepared. However, I can advise the chamber that damage to Unit 3 is extensive. Damage has also occurred in Unit 4 of the Bluebush Unit. I was advised that there may have been a risk of asbestos contamination in the damaged units.

It is too soon to give an accurate assessment of the cost of restoring the facility to operational levels. I can advise the chamber that every effort will be made to fast track the repairs to Port Augusta Prison to ensure that it is available to accommodate prisoners as soon as possible. I was advised this morning that the removal of asbestos from Port Augusta Prison has commenced and should be completed by tomorrow morning. I am also advised that a staged return of prisoners to Port Augusta Prison will occur, and it is expected that eight to 10 cells will be available within two to three weeks.

The arrangements in place to accommodate prisoners are interim arrangements; they are not long term, and we are working to ensure the return of all available cells at Port Augusta as soon as possible. We are hopeful that, with the cooperation of the PSA and the staff in our correctional services facilities, this interim period will be as short as possible. SAPOL is currently investigating this incident and I do not wish to pre-empt the investigation. As previously planned, an additional 83 beds (approximately) will be installed at Mobilong prison, Mount Gambier Prison, and the Cadell Training Centre.

Given some of the information that has been reported regarding this incident, I would like to advise the chamber of the following: several Aboriginal prisoners chose to sleep outside on camp beds in a courtyard (within the secure perimeter, of course) on the night following the disruption; they were not made to do so but chose to do so rather than sleep in the holding cells. I can confirm that, following the disturbance, 41 prisoners were placed in the yard until such time as they could be transported to Adelaide. They were handcuffed for security purposes and a search was undertaken for any weapons. I support this action: the safety of custodial officers is paramount.

There has been much comment recently about the practice of doubling-up. I would like to place on record that two beds to a cell is common practice and is not inhumane. Presently, the Port Augusta Prison is locked down and is expected likely to remain so for the next few days, while alternative accommodation is found for some prisoners and a more detailed assessment of damage is undertaken. Nevertheless, prisoners are now being allowed out of their cells in groups of 20 for association, exercise and phone calls. They are allowed out for an hour and a half each. They also have access to showers.

The good order and safety of our prison system remains our highest priority. This government wants to work with the PSA to ensure its continued cooperation in the management of the correctional services system. What happened last Thursday is of concern and I want to know exactly how it happened. On the day of the incident I asked the Chief Executive of Correctional Services to launch an immediate investigation. That investigation, as well as the investigation by SAPOL, is proceeding. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Department of Correctional Services to conduct an investigation into this most serious breach of security.

The government recognises that we have more prisoners in the system than ever before, but that is because this government has refused to be soft on crime and is locking up more people for doing the wrong thing. I would rather see two prisoners locked up in one cell than being out in the community—and I am sure that the public would agree.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: The opposition does not agree, but I am sure that the public would agree. Having two prisoners to a cell is not a breach of human rights. It is not overcrowding; it is something that has occurred in prison systems for a very long time. This government has taken steps to plan for the future of our state's prison system in the 2007-08 budget where funding for 240 extra bed spaces was allocated and nearly all have been installed.

The Rann government also announced as part of the 2008-09 budget a $35 million commitment to install 209 additional bed spaces over the next four years. The government has also started an aggressive recruitment campaign. So far this year, 134 new prison officers have been trained. The government is well on track to meet its target of 200 before the year is out.

As I have previously advised, we are working to fast-track the repairs to the cells. We will work with the PSA to ensure that the current situation is manageable. I would like to place on record my thanks for the cooperation of the Public Service Association in yesterday lifting its bans on prisoner movements.

I am advised that the Department of Correctional Services will be putting contingency options and interim proposals to the PSA today to allow for the continued movement and accommodation of prisoners and to ensure the safety and security of the system and of correctional services officers.

Our state prisons are well managed and run, and our state's prison officers are well trained and resourced and should be commended for their professionalism. I am hopeful that the prison officers and the union will work with the government over the coming months to ensure that interim arrangements are put in place while work is fast-tracked to complete the repairs to the correctional services system.