A reduction in the number of days inmates at Canberra jail can receive visitors could impact on rehabilitation, a prisoners' rights group says.
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Corrections Minister Shane Rattenbury is changing visiting arrangements at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, saying he was trying to maximise the number of detainees in each session and develop a more efficient schedule for visits. It would also "offer modest savings for ACT Corrective Services".
Under the new arrangement, which starts on July 1, the number of detainees in each visit session will increase from 16 to 18. The running time for some sessions will also be extended. But the number of days available for visits will drop to five days a week.
Prisoners Aid ACT acting president Shobha Varkey said the changes might appear superficial, but would have huge ramifications for prisoners.
"It’s very important for prisoners to maintain contact with their family and the community," Ms Varkey said.
“There is huge psychological impact on prisoners to know someone is coming to visit, [but the change means] there will now be two days when [inmates] have no contact with anyone outside of the prison system.
“This seems to be great for efficiency but not great for the rehabilitation side of things.”
Ms Varkey said the changes could cause behavioural issues and regression on rehabilitation steps among some prisoners.
She said her organisation understood the economic climate called for the changes, but hoped they would only be for the short term.
But Mr Rattenbury said the ACT still offered the highest visitor allowance for detainees of any Australian jurisdiction.
“Many other jurisdictions [limit] visits to weekends and public holidays only,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The AMC facilitates on average over 13,000 visits per year and it is important that we continue to maintain the important connections detainees have with friends and family in the community.
“These connections can be a powerful motivator for detainees to participate in rehabilitation, education and training programs.”
Mr Rattenbury said prison staff from the visitors' section would be redeployed to give detainees greater access to training and rehabilitation programs.
Detainees will still be able to receive visits from legal and professional representatives seven days a week.
Mr Rattenbury said the jail had also recently implemented improvements to the visits telephone booking system to better manage calls and messages, and improve the booking process.
