The ACT's prison watchdogs say access to drug programs and waiting times for medical treatment are some of the major issues plaguing inmates at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
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Official visitors Tracey Whetnall and Judy Putt outlined prisoners' concerns in the justice directorate's recently-released annual report.
Ms Whetnall, who is responsible for investigating complaints from Indigenous inmates, said there had been a "significant rise" in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders detained at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Some of the issues affecting these inmates related to accessing rehabilitation programs and finding accommodation when they were released, Ms Whetnall said.
These problems had been complicated by the lack of an Indigenous case manager at the facility, she added..
"The main Indigenous case manager being absent from work since Christmas has frustrated detainees not knowing who their case managers are.
"I have found that complaints about a lack of contact from the Indigenous liaison officer increased greatly and went quiet once a temporary staff member was acting in the role."
The total number of Indigenous inmates has increased from 57 in 2013-14 to 89 in 2016-17, according to the directorate's report.
Ms Whetnall suggested this number might be even higher than official estimates.
"Many detainees advise me that they are Indigenous and not down on the list, and therefore not recognised, so this in turn confuses our statistics," she said.
"Maybe an audit needs to be done, with key agencies, to finally identify the correct numbers of Indigenous detainees."
Official visitor Judy Putt, who retired in May, said staff shortages and stretched services were causing issues inside the prison.
"The problems experienced by detainees continue to relate to complex association problems, staff shortages, overstretched services, and disruptions caused by renovations and construction," she said.
"Many of the issues and complaints related to access to goods and services, including key health and offender services."
Ms Putt said the majority of complaints raised with her concerned waiting times to see doctors, dentists and mental health staff, problems with banking, and difficulties getting cleaning supplies.
"Other matters that have been raised with senior staff include complaints of inappropriate cell searches, the high temperatures in the new accommodation areas during summer, access to more drug and alcohol services, the amount of time detainees are locked-up, the transparency of decision making when detainees are exited from programs, and case planning for longer-term detainees."
Ms Putt also highlighted the positive changes she had seen during her three years in the official visitor role, and said the prison had responded well to recent internal and external investigations.
"When detainee delegates were asked about positive changes during the year, they did cite less crowded accommodation (for the men), an increase in the cottage buy-up allowance, and better and more widespread fitness equipment including the new multi-purpose fitness centre."
Official visitors are appointed by the ACT Attorney-General for a term of up to three years, and are responsible for investigating complaints at detention centres and other facilities.
