Page 3281 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
operate more effectively and efficiently, therefore increasing their capability to support the community.
Let me turn to corrections. The appropriation bill provides funding to strengthen the capacity of ACT Corrective Services to provide a safe and secure environment for detainees, staff and visitors at the AMC and to enhance the delivery of offender rehabilitation through the intensive corrections order scheme. I take this opportunity to thank all the hardworking ACT Corrective Services staff for the important work they do each day, often under very difficult circumstances.
Mr Coe, on behalf of Mrs Jones, comes in and rattles off a series of things that have happened in the last year or so. I have never been shy about the fact that it is a difficult environment. There are people there who do not want to be there who, for a range of reasons, will undertake illegal and unlawful behaviour and resolve disputes with violence. That is the nature of jails, unfortunately. Our job is to try to prevent those matters.
We have made significant strides in recent years in improving the capability of the AMC through expanding capacity and the provision of prison industries and recreational facilities. All of these things are about addressing some of the shortcomings in the original design of the building and ensuring there is a structured day for detainees. We are working hard to break down some of those behaviours reflected on by Mr Coe today which are of great concern to me. I will never accept that we cannot do more to improve the operation of our prison and intervene in the lives of those who are there, to help them put their lives back on a better track.
This budget provides $15.5 million over four years to provide additional staff resources associated with an increase in average detainee numbers at the AMC and to replace the mobile duress system. As members would be aware, the ACT has seen a continuing upwards growth in detainee numbers in recent years. In 2013 we began to see unprecedented growth in detainee numbers. In the 2014-15 financial year the daily average number of detainees was 342. This daily average increased to 402 in the following year and then to 445 in the year after that. In 2017-18 we averaged 474 detainees a day, and in June 2018 the detainee population reached a new high of 507.
These sorts of numbers have placed considerable strain on the AMC’s staff resources. This bill will provide funding to alleviate some of that pressure. It will ensure that all areas of the AMC are better resourced to meet the increased demands in custodial, therapeutic program and case management operations associated with the growth in detainee numbers.
The bill also contains funding to improve security systems. The existing duress system at the AMC is almost 10 years old and, as the manufacturer has ceased production of these devices, it can no longer be upgraded. A replacement of the staff mobile duress system at the AMC will ensure corrections staff can continue to provide a safe and secure environment for detainees, staff, and visitors.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video