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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-11-10 Daily Xml
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CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (12:49): I move:

1. That a select committee of the Legislative Council be appointed to inquire into the Department for Correctional Services and report upon—

(a) whether sufficient resources exist for the safe, effective and efficient operation of South Australia's prison system;

(b) claims of bullying and harassment within the department;

(c) claims that correct departmental practices and procedures are regularly ignored by management;

(d) claims of drug use and sales within the prison system;

(e) claims of poor occupational health and safety management in prisons; and

(f) any other relevant matter.

2. That standing order No. 389 be so far suspended as to enable the chairperson of the committee to have a deliberative vote only.

3. That this council permits the select committee to authorise the disclosure or publication, as it sees fit, of any evidence or documents presented to the committee prior to such evidence being presented to the council.

4. That standing order No. 396 be suspended to enable strangers to be admitted when the select committee is examining witnesses unless the committee otherwise resolves, but they shall be excluded when the committee is deliberating.

In my role as the shadow minister for correctional services, I often receive correspondence from a wide range of people, and the stream of complaints and concerns from correctional services officers about a range of matters have certainly set alarm bells ringing with me.

Some members and/or members' staff of the Legislative Council were briefed by a number of correctional services officers recently. These people, and I would say quite courageous people, raised concerns because I know that certainly they fear further intimidation and bullying as a result, perhaps, of this meeting and, perhaps, further evidence that is given before a committee if I should be successful in encouraging this council to support this committee.

Incredibly concerning was the feeling of despair amongst these people and the fact that they were locked in a system whereby they had no avenue to pursue their concerns with regard to their employment conditions. They were constantly running into brick walls, and any form of complaint or concern they raised usually met with higher levels of intimidation and bullying. A number of the people who have spoken to me have, in fact, mentioned the 'suicide' word.

As a member of parliament, when people start talking to you about the depths of despair they reach in some of these things, it really does make you feel quite concerned; and, then, of course, as a member of parliament, where is your level of responsibility? I certainly found that it is much better to make these matters open and transparent to try to give these people the ability to raise their concerns in a non-threatening environment so that some natural justice can take place. I am sure that, in fact, most colleagues in this place would feel exactly the same.

I know that, with respect to this briefing that we had from these correctional services people, the members of parliament who were there—and certainly their staff representatives—all left feeling extremely concerned and really quite deflated about the depths of bullying, harassment and intimidation that could take place within the South Australian government system. If you did not listen to these officers you would just say that it could not happen in a place such as Australia, and that it certainly could not happen in a place such as South Australia.

Along with this, there were also reports of drugs in our prison institutions being rife, and we have been told over the years about zero tolerance with prisoners and drugs. I heard stories of corrupt drug testing and different sets of rules for different people. These things were extremely concerning. These prison officers raised with me the fact that, if even any questions were asked about practices and procedures, then, of course, the attention was firmly turned on them and their lives were made even more miserable. A number of complaints about the department and its handling of occupational health and safety means we would like to investigate some of the practices these allegations made with regard to prison officers' safety and welfare not being considered at all.

Once all avenues had been explored by these people, there was a feeling of nowhere to go and usually the problem was escalating, and some very dark thoughts were mentioned to us. Part of the motion relates to whether sufficient resources exist for the safe, effective and efficient operation of South Australia's prison system. Certainly, that would involve the reports made to me about the effective rehabilitation of prisoners. We have heard many statements about what a wonderful job we do of improving literacy and numeracy.

There is still an incredibly high rate of repeat offenders and, if we can get the support of the council, I would like the select committee to look at whether rehabilitation is effective. At some stage these prisoners will be released from gaol and could well become our neighbours. Rehabilitation is difficult to achieve. A former colleague of mine, the Hon. Angus Redford, had a favourite quote that rehabilitation is tough. His analogy was that it is like giving up smoking. You rehabilitate yourself to give up smoking; it is tough, it is hard, but it is worth it in the end.

I am concerned about what we have heard publicly in terms of what happens in the prison system when prisoners are transferred part way through courses and do not have a say about the institution to which they are transferred so there is no continuity. I am really concerned about whether there is any effective rehabilitation of prisoners. With those few words, I look forward to other members' contributions.

I suspect the government will rain down upon us and say that it is another select committee we do not need. However, I can go to bed with a clear conscience knowing that I have listened to people's genuine concerns about their safety and well-being. It is my job as a member of the Legislative Council and a member of parliament in this state to ensure the welfare of all South Australians. I look forward to other members' contributions and support for my motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.M. Gazzola.


[Sitting suspended from 12:59 to 14:18]


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