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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-14 Daily Xml
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PORT AUGUSTA PRISON

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Correctional Services a question about the Port Augusta Prison riot.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON: On 12 October Mr David Wright, a former chaplain at the Port Augusta Prison, he having held that office from 2001 to the beginning of 2008, called in relation to the riot and standoff which had begun on the preceding Thursday, and said:

It's been known for a long time that this was going to be happening and the Department of Corrections has taken no action, positive action whatsoever. They've taken lots of negative action but they've never taken any positive action at all. The issues, the prison out there is a hell place to work, the administration do their best, the workers do their best..but the Department of Corrections is just letting them down time and time again.

He goes on to say:

...there's institutionalised racism running rampant...70 per cent of the Aboriginal prisoners in there...haven't been at trial yet, they're on remand...then 70 per cent of those guys will get a sentence less than what they've already done.

He stated that prisoners are denied the opportunity to attend chapel services and that the Department of Correctional Services (in relation to this issue) 'tells lie after lie after lie'. The minister said today that the Chief Executive Officer of the department will be conducting an inquiry into this matter. She has already concluded, to use her own words, 'The prisons are well managed and well run' but she said that she cannot comment on the causes of this particular incident until she receives the report from the Chief Executive Officer.

Despite the fact that the minister cannot comment, the Deputy Premier has already said that the riot and stand-off was not caused by overcrowding. He has already reached a conclusion that the minister does not seem to be able to reach. My questions are:

1. Why will the minister not commission an independent inquiry into the causes of the events at Port Augusta?

2. Is it not inevitable that the Chief Executive Officer of the department will agree with the minister in saying that the prisons are well managed and well run and that the inquiry will be a whitewash?

3. What does this government have to hide?

4. Will the minister ensure that the issues raised by Chaplain Wright are investigated, including the claims that it was known for a long time that what happened was going to happen; that there is institutionalised racism at the Port Augusta Prison; and that the department denies prisoners the opportunity to attend chapel services?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for his questions which contain, of course, a lot of comment on his part—some of it I am sure he would like to withdraw.

I can advise the chamber that David Wright is a former chaplain at Port Augusta Prison. As the honourable member has said, he was a visiting chaplain at that prison. His involvement was terminated earlier this year by the head of Christian churches following a number of issues about which it had concerns.

The Hon. R.D. Lawson: Shoot the messenger!

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I am just stating the facts. The honourable member commented and I am giving him some facts. If he does not like it, that is his problem.

In regard to Port Augusta Prison, in one instance Mr Wright refused to reveal the content of books that he was attempting to take into the prison, and the name of the prisoner to whom he gave a book. He was subsequently banned from Port Augusta Prison by the General Manager. This issue has also been to the Ombudsman who has investigated the matter. He did not find against the department's actions. I will repeat that: the Ombudsman did not find against the department's actions.

I took great offence at the comments made by the honourable member about an investigation run by the Department of Correctional Services. As I have already placed on notice, SAPOL will be doing its own investigation. In addition to SAPOL's inquiries and processes, I have asked the department to extensively investigate the incident to determine the events surrounding the disturbance.

I have also asked for a detailed report to be forwarded which will make recommendations to prevent further incidents of this nature occurring. As would always be the case, I am happy to bring back to this chamber the outcome of that investigation. The department's investigation processes are consistent with strict operating policies, and for those opposite to suggest otherwise really is an insult to those investigators. It is mischief-making. The investigation will be carried out by senior investigative and intelligence unit staff who have extensive experience in examining and reporting incidents. I am confident that the investigation will be thorough and comprehensive. I also fully expect that SAPOL will lay charges against those involved.

Again, I resent the inferences made by members opposite; they are very offensive. Clearly, we have some very professional and competent people in the investigation and intelligence unit of the department. Members opposite really should be ashamed of themselves. As I have said, I will be bringing back—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: How is the investigation and intelligence unit a party? Investigation and intelligence unit officers are not correctional services officers. I will be bringing back the investigation—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I think it is important to point out—and I will enjoy placing on record—that the last time we had a major incident in our gaols was in 1996. I think it is worth while reflecting on the comments of the former minister for correctional services, the Hon. Wayne Matthew MP, when after a serious riot in Yatala Labor Prison in 1996, he said:

I say to all media and all members that when such incidents occur, as they are bound to occur in prisons, they are very difficult institutions to manage. They do not house the nicest people in our society...please be level-headed and report the facts.

Perhaps members opposite should listen to those words.

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