The Community Justice Coalition met with Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) recently after expressing grave concern to the Minister about plans to hold 800 prisoners in 25 person dormitories being built at Wellington.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Community Justice Coalition (CJC) presented CSNSW with a report analysing the effects of dormitory style accommodation on prisioners’ privacy and safety on November 13.
CJC president, the Hon John Dowd AO QC, said the report – based on international experience – revealed the system raises levels of violence, bullying and fear, with damage to prisoner health and recidivism.
“CJC had asked for reports that dealt with the psychological and social effects on prisoners held for long periods in such dormitories,” he said.
“Although CSNSW had said the new system had ‘been subject to a robust review process where any problems identified were given full consideration and mitigation strategies put in place where required’, it has not yet provided us with any analysis of this kind.”
CJC also acknowledged that while there may have been limited local consultation, there had been no consultation with prisoners’ advocacy groups about these highly significant changes.
“Such a major change in the form of imprisonment, not used in Australia’s 200 years’ experience, requires open community consultation,” Hon Dowd AO QC said.
A spokeswoman for Corrective Services NSW said the rapid-build prisons were specifically designed with a focus on inmate rehabilitation, to be built quickly to meet the demands of the growing prison population, and to ensure the safety and security of the community.
“The centres are designed for a population of maximum and medium security long-term, stable and sentenced male inmates,” she said.
“At the Rapid-Build Prisons the inmates’ days have been carefully structured in a way that focuses on intense participation and access to education, employment, programs and activities.
“Importantly, the design and access to programs and work opportunities also increases inmates’ chances of rehabilitation and assists with reintegration back into the community.”
The centre also has best practice security and safety arrangements, including:
- The perimeter fence system has multiple secure barriers and sterile zones with anti-climb fences;
- Immediate Action Team officers are stationed within the facility to provide a 24/7 response capability to critical incidents; and
- The facility is controlled by a central command post where all doors, alarms and other devices can be operated and monitored.
Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, the Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC, said the risks to personal security will be increased should the system remain unchanged.
“It is gratifying that they intend to offer a range of facilities, and an increased level of meaningful activities such as education, including up to four Certificate three TAFE courses per year, using computers with educational access and potential for email and other use,” she said.
“Although CSNSW intends to provide heightened security, necessary for this configuration, the risks to personal security will be increased; the noise of people in adjacent cells will make distractions necessary for it not to become a pressure cooker for emotionally disturbed people.”
