An independent review into the "health" of Canberra's prison, the first of its type for any Australian correctional centre, is inviting public submissions and commentary as part of an extensive report to be tabled in the ACT Assembly mid-year.
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Submissions are now open, and close on May 1.
The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services said that the "healthy prison review" welcomes input from all interested parties including corrections staff, community organisations, unions and the academic community.
Detainees at the prison are also invited to submit, anonymously if wished, with a stated preference by the inspectorate for all submissions to directly address one or more of the four "pillars" of the review framework.
These pillars include:
- prison safety;
- respect;
- purposeful activity; and
- rehabilitation and preparation for release.
Submissions should not raise complaints about the treatment or conduct of named individuals although anonymous case studies are permitted.
The inspectorate's role, in reporting directly to the ACT Assembly, is to deliver an independent assessment of Canberra's prison and services.
The role was established as a government response to the recommendations from the independent Moss review "So Much Sadness In Our Lives" which examined the 2016 death in custody of indigenous detainee Steven Freeman.
The prison treatment of Freeman over a lengthy period prior to his death highlighted deficiencies in the prison's systems, facilities and detainee treatment.
These issues included the mixing of remandees with sentenced prisoners, prisoner boredom, poor CCTV surveillance coverage, a lack of opportunities to learn a skill or trade, illicit drug use, and the delivery of health services.
In its submission to the Moss review, the Winnunga Aboriginal Health Care service said that the "bashing, care, treatment and death of Steven Freeman [had been] characterised by a lack of transparency, accountability and of secrecy".
The prison's inspector, Neil McAllister, is permitted to conduct unannounced visits to all correctional centres, including the cells underneath the ACT court buildings.
He works alongside, but separate from, other oversight mechanisms such as the ACT Human Rights Commission, the ACT Ombudsman, the Public Advocate and the prison's official visitors.
Primarily, his review is seeking to ascertain whether vulnerable detainees at the prison, such as those with mental health issues or cognitive impairment, are being held safely, and whether staff are able to work in a "safe and supportive" environment.
It will also examine whether human rights and dignity are respected within the prison.
It will seek to determine whether detainees are "able, and expected to engage in activity that is likely to benefit them".
Finally, it will assess whether prisoners have access to programs and services which will assist and prepare them for a life outside the prison.
Submissions can be addressed to the office of the inspector of correctional services at ics@act.gov.au.
