Page 320 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 9 February 2021
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MRS JONES: Minister, what will you do differently to ensure that a better job is done than Mr Rattenbury did?
MR GENTLEMAN: As I said in my last answer, I have initiated a number of reviews already. I have indicated to staff, on several visits, that I want to support them into the future and will be looking at providing more training for staff, and more assistance to detainees into the future as well, as part of our process to ensure that we can reduce recidivism across the ACT.
ACT Corrective Services—review
MS CASTLEY: My question is to the Minister for Corrections. Minister, Mr Rattenbury promised a full review of all correctional services policies and procedures, to be completed by mid-2019. In late 2020 the inspector’s review of the Court Transport Unit found that some policies were woefully out of date and even referenced facilities that closed in 2009. This remains the case. Has this review of all ACT correctional services policies and procedures, promised for mid-2019, been completed yet?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Ms Castley for her question. The review of the CTU was tabled in the Assembly on 3 January 2020. The Court Transport Unit transports, manages and cares for hundreds of people in custody at the ACT law courts every year. The report made 12 findings and 22 recommendations, which the ACT government and ACT Corrective Services take very seriously. While work has begun on many of the issues highlighted in the report, it is of course essential and reassuring that independent oversight identifies and confirms issues that need to be addressed. There were some positive comments by the inspector about the professionalism of the CTU and staff as well. We welcome that report.
Mrs Jones: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The question was not about the Court Transport Unit report but about the things that the report asked to be done, which included the upgrade of policies and procedures, promised for mid-2019. The minister so far has not referred to the policies and procedures promised to be updated by 2019, and we would really like to know the answer.
MADAM SPEAKER: He is on the policy area, so it is in order. Minister, in the time you have left—
MR GENTLEMAN: There are a number of policies that we are implementing from the correctional inspector’s report, which is the report that Ms Castley referred to.
MS CASTLEY: When can we expect the implementation of the report to be completed?
MR GENTLEMAN: The government response to the report is currently being prepared and is scheduled to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in the February period.
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