Media release – Office of the Custodial Inspector Tasmania, 1 September 2021

Ongoing funding has been a major impediment to the efficiency of the Office of the Custodial Inspector Tasmania according to the 2020-21 Annual Report

Ongoing resourcing has been one of the major factors impacting the operating capability of the Custodial Inspectorate over the course of the last year according to the 2020-21 Tasmanian Custodial Inspector’s Annual Report.

Custodial Inspector Mr Richard Connock said an ongoing funding deficiency has had a significant impact on the resourcing of the Office including the ability to investigate and review major issues within Tasmania’s prison service.

“Whilst the Custodial Inspectorate has fulfilled reporting obligations there have been some severe impediments to the efficiency of operations due to resourcing constraints,’ he said.

“As I have consistently reported, having now completed a three-year cycle of inspections it is overwhelmingly apparent that additional staff are required. The inadequacy of staffing is reflected by the long delays between onsite inspections and the publication of reports, as well as the need to cancel the scheduled inspection of the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison,” he said.

“In this respect, I am pleased to report that in the State Budget delivered late last week additional funding was allocated to my Office, including additional funding for the Inspectorate. This will greatly enhance the operation of the Inspectorate and will, amongst other things, fund a new position bringing the number of permanent officers to three,” said Mr Connock.

The Custodial Inspector also used the Annual Report 2020-21 to highlight serious concerns about the failure of the Department of Justice to implement recommendations set out in his inspection reports over a prolonged period.

“The last round of reporting saw the culmination of the mandated three-year inspection cycle commenced at the inception of the Inspectorate in 2017. This has allowed a historical comparison of Tasmania’s prison system as it was then with what is now happening,” Mr Connock said.

“This comparison highlighted a lack of any real change despite the efforts of the Department of Justice, and accompanying advice that recommendations are being acted upon and implemented effectively,” he said.

“The most recent inspection reports indicate the existence of very similar issues to previous reports, which would suggest that recommendations have either not been implemented or have had little effect,” Mr Connock said.

“With respect to recommendations for youth custodial services, progress has been consistent with improvements made across a range of services. The Department of Communities has been positive and proactive in addressing any concerns raised despite having being challenged by significant factors outside the inspection process,” he said.

“In the case of adult custodial services, however, there are prolonged and persistent inadequacies in the system that have not been dealt with satisfactorily,” said Mr Connock.

“Major issues raised in my inspection reports to date have, for the most part have not been addressed and a number of major issues remain that need closer monitoring or review due to their significance,” he said.

According to Mr Connock, identified issues for review include the use of force continuum, disciplinary processes and contract levels, Section 42 leave for prisoners, medical examinations, prisoner capacity, protection prisoners, and security classifications and review.

“A number of emerging issues have also been identified in 2020-21 and are listed in this report. They include such things as the major offender alert, recruit training, Apsley Unit concerns and the Tamar Unit which have been earmarked for more detailed review,” he said.

“I am hopeful that the additional funding and resources now available to the Inspectorate will provide greater scope and flexibility to address and review these issues of significance in the near future.”

Read the full Office of the Custodial Inspector Tasmania Annual Report 2020-21.