Page 3618 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 22 October 2013
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Going back to the 2008 financial year, the average detainees across years has been, with the percentage increase over the previous year: 2008-09, 176; 2009-10, 189—a 7.39 per cent increase; 2010-11, 228—a 20.63 per cent increase; 2011-12, 259—a 13.6 per cent increase; and then 2012-13, 266—a 2.7 per cent increase.
In the past 10 months, as I have said, actual daily numbers have risen by more than 40 per cent, from less than 240 to a peak of 343 yesterday, 21 October 2013.
Now that we are all aware of the actual numbers, I trust that all members, were they in my position, would pause and ask, as I have done, “What is driving this unprecedented increase?”
Since becoming Minister for Corrections, I have been working extensively with corrections to address the growing population demands at the AMC in the short, medium and long term. In the course of these discussions it has become clear that, while there are many possible drivers, the issues are too complex for any single cause.
We can look to increases in police numbers, changes to maximum penalties for certain offences and trends in sentencing. We can consider social and economic drivers relating to criminal behaviour and increased numbers of people remanded in custody.
But the truth is that none of these factors alone can explain the increase and the fact remains that, regardless of these trends, Corrective Services is daily experiencing operational pressures that require increased resources and support.
In the short term, we have increased raw accommodation numbers from 300 beds to 366 beds with the installation of bunk beds in some cottage bedrooms and cells.
It must be noted, however, that not all beds can be utilised at all times due to separation of categories of detainees—for example, men and women, remand and sentenced. In each of the above categories there are further separation requirements, including various categories of protection and mainstream detainees.
Corrective Services staff and management have also responded with exceptional professionalism in their day-to-day management of detainees. These include implementation of some immediate steps to minimise the impact of increasing detainee numbers and separation issues and maintaining our human rights compliance. They include the addition of physical separation barriers in some areas to enhance separation between certain categories of detainees; implementing complex personal movement schedules, including increased intelligence gathering, escorting and enhanced supervision of high risk detainees; daily triaging of high needs detainees; maximising accommodation space with the installation of bunk beds in some cottage bedrooms and cells; and exploring further options, including interstate transfer for detainees with specific therapeutic needs that cannot be met in the ACT.
These measures have been undertaken with proactive engagement and discussions with the Human Rights Commission, Ombudsman, Public Advocate, official visitors, health commission and other stakeholders.
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