Port Augusta Prison

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:08): My question is directed to the Minister for Correctional Services. When was the minister made aware of the recent escape attempt at Port Augusta Prison, and what action, if any, did he take, once advised?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:09): I am happy to advise the house of the following. At approximately 8pm on Tuesday 20 September 2016, an alarm was triggered at the construction zone of the new 132 beds at Port Augusta Prison. As I referred to earlier, the state government has a number of builds underway, and this is included within that. CCTV footage observation of the site indicated that three prisoners had gained unauthorised access to the build site. A code green was issued and an emergency response escape protocol was put into effect; a code green referring to a potential attempt of prisoners seeking to escape custody.

Upon discovery of the attempted escape, a full count was initiated on the site which confirms that only three prisoners were not accommodated in their appropriate unit. The response to the attempted escape received external support from SAPOL and the Department for Correctional Services emergency response group, and a field commander took charge of the incident management centre via instruction of the general manager of the prison.

It is believed that the three prisoners got into the zone under the internal construction fence. The prisoners attempted to access a vehicle but were unable to mobilise the vehicle. The three prisoners found their way to the first floor of a partially constructed accommodation unit and were contained in the north-east corner of the unit under construction by the DCS emergency response team. The incident was resolved without further incident by 1.10am on Wednesday 21 September 2016 with all prisoners coming down from the construction and surrendering themselves to DCS emergency response group officers.

The Department for Correctional Services asset manager and DCS director of investigation visited the site for immediate review of its security on the morning of Wednesday 21 September and a review occurred in conjunction with the construction company. That review found for improvement on site, and no construction occurred until those findings had been implemented. Critical to the security improvements was the development of a concrete plinth at the centre of the fence to provide structural support. The construction of that concrete plinth was completed on Saturday 24 September.

All vehicles, bobcats and excavators were removed from the site and new instructions issued that no vehicles remain on site unless prior approval is sought and issued from the general manager. An instruction has been created for additional lighting and installation of additional cameras for the construction zone, with this work to be commenced this week beginning 26 September 2016. Checklists have been created and circulated that are there to be integrated into the operational compliance framework. Daily checks will now be conducted by the site infrastructure security coordinator and manager checks are now being conducted a minimum of three times per week.

In addition, MOSSOP group has strengthened the induction process with specific reinforced areas about tool control and vehicle access. On 26 September, construction recommenced at the site. I am advised that Port Augusta Prison is back to normal operation with the exception of some garden and nursery work. I am advised that the incident plan and the command and control of the incident were professionally handled. The Department for Correctional Services and SAPOL staff should be praised for their professional management of the situation and, as a result of their fine work, at no stage during the incident was there a risk to public safety, and the incident was contained to the secure perimeter of the site.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary, the Hon. Mr Lucas.