The ACT government will create a new prisons watchdog to oversee the capital's corrections system.
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New laws, set to be introduced on Thursday, will create the oversight agency with the power to inspect the ACT's correctional centres and services and review critical incidents.
The bill will create the Inspector of Correctional Services, delivering on a government commitment made in response to the Moss Review into Stephen Freeman's death in custody.
Corrections Minister Shane Rattenbury said the watchdog would help improve detainees' health and safety while behind bars.
The government said the inspector would work with, but be distinct from, existing oversight mechanisms undertaken by the Human Rights Commission, ACT Ombudsman, Public Advocate and the Official Visitors program.
The inspector's role will be to create an agenda for overall improvement of correctional services and best practice in the ACT.
The government said this would ensure continuous improvement through the systematic and regular review of correctional centres and services.
The inspector will be able to conduct unannounced visits to correctional centres and court cells.
The watchdog will also undertake comprehensive and systemic inspections of corrections system every two years, review critical incidents, and particular issues referred by the responsible Minister or Director-General.
The Legislative Assembly will be sent the independent reports.
The government said, once appointed, the inspector would immediately start work on the Alexander Maconochie Centre, and at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre within two years.
The introduction of the inspector to the youth justice system will be through a phased implementation to ensure Bimberi Youth Justice Centre and the ACT has a best practice inspectorate for youth justice, the government said.
Mr Rattenbury said the new agency would increase transparency and accountability, and deter mismanagement, unfairness and corruption.
"The establishment of an Inspector of Correctional Services will focus reform efforts, keep a steady eye on correctional facilities and services and support the implementation of real change," Mr Rattenbury said.
"Our correctional facilities must operate at the high standards that our community rightly expects and this new model of external oversight will help ensure they do so."
ACT Disability, Children and Youth Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the inspector would require appropriate trauma-informed expertise to ensure the specific needs of young people were met, including young people with a disability.
"The youth justice environment in the ACT is different to that of adult correctional facilities," she said.
"The ACT's youth justice centre operates services and programs that are trauma-informed, recognising the impact of traumatic experiences on young people's behaviour and capacity to address issues.
"We also need to ensure that all matters regarding the operation of the inspectorate and the provisions of the Children and Young People Act 2008 around issues such as client privacy are fully worked through."
