Report of an Announced Inspection of Pardelup Prison Farm
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REPORT 103 REPORT REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF PARDELUP PRISON FARM ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF PARDELUP AN OF REPORT Inspection of prisons, court custody centres, prescribed lock-ups, REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF juvenile detention centres, and review of custodial services in Western Australia PARDELUP PRISON FARM 103 Level 5, Albert Facey House, 469 Wellington Street Perth, Western Australia, Australia 6000 APRIL 2016 Telephone: +61 8 6551 4200 Facsimile: +61 8 6551 4216 APRIL 2016 Independent oversight that contributes to a more www.oics.wa.gov.au accountable public sector 7474 OICS Pardelup Report 103 COVER V1.indd 1 3/05/2016 12:44 pm Report of an Announced Inspection of Pardelup Prison Farm Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services Level 5, Albert Facey House, 469 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000 www.oics.wa.gov.au April 2016 ISSN 1445-3134 (Print) ISSN 2204-4140 (Electronic) This report is available on the Office’s website and will be made available, upon request, in alternate formats. This document uses environmentally friendly paper, comprising 50% recycled & 50% totally chlorine free plantation pulp. 7474 OICS Pardelup Report 103 COVER V1.indd 2 3/05/2016 12:44 pm Contents THE INSPECTOR'S OVERVIEW PARDELUP PRISON FARM: SAFE, HARD-WORKING AND PRODUCTIVE, WITH STRONG SERVICE DELIVERY AND LOW RECIDIVISM ................................................................................. iii FACT PAGE .............................................................................................................................................. vii LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................ viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................1 Previous Inspections of Pardelup ......................................................................................................................1 Inspection Methodology ...................................................................................................................................2 Themes for the 2015 Inspection ........................................................................................................................3 Prisoner Profile .................................................................................................................................................5 Key Findings .....................................................................................................................................................7 CHAPTER 2 STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................9 Strategic Direction ............................................................................................................................................9 Management and Human Resources ..............................................................................................................18 Infrastructure and Security .............................................................................................................................21 CHAPTER 3 LIFE AT PARDELUP....................................................................................................................................25 Through-care and Reintegration ....................................................................................................................26 Conditions for Prisoners .................................................................................................................................30 Health Care ....................................................................................................................................................35 Mental Health and Spiritual Care ...................................................................................................................39 Aboriginal Prisoners .......................................................................................................................................40 CHAPTER 4 DOING TIME ...............................................................................................................................................45 Education ........................................................................................................................................................45 Training ..........................................................................................................................................................45 Employment ...................................................................................................................................................47 Traditional Prison Industries ...........................................................................................................................47 Agricultural Industries ....................................................................................................................................51 CHAPTER 5 WALPOLE WORK CAMP ...........................................................................................................................54 REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF PARDELUP PRISON FARM i APPENDIX 1 REFERENCE LIST ......................................................................................................................................56 APPENDIX 2 ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................................57 APPENDIX 3 ANDERTON REPORT ...............................................................................................................................58 APPENDIX 4 RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................60 APPENDIX 5 SCORECARD ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRESS AGAINST THE 2012 RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................................63 APPENDIX 6 THE INSPECTION TEAM ..........................................................................................................................65 APPENDIX 7 KEY DATES ..................................................................................................................................................66 ii REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF PARDELUP PRISON FARM Inspector’s Overview PARDELUP PRISON FARM: SAFE, HARD-WORKING AND PRODUCTIVE, WITH STRONG SERVICE DELIVERY AND LOW RECIDIVISM INTRODUCTION It is unusual in today’s environment of crowded prisons for an inspection to find a prison that is actively and successfully implementing the Department of Corrective Services’ mission of a safer community through a holistic focus on rehabilitation as well as the security and safety of prisoners, and the safety of staff. It is even more unusual to find a prison where staff are working in a genuinely professional, collegiate, and contented working environment. However, that is what we found when we inspected Pardelup Prison Farm (‘Pardelup’) in October 2015. It is disappointing, though, that when such a prison is found the Department does not make a more concerted effort to identify how it is achieving what it does, or to replicate its success into other prisons. This is not say that Pardelup is perfect; no prison can be perfect simply because it relies on human beings to provide its services. However, Pardelup’s problems were generally a result of decisions made at head office. For example, escapes from other prisons had created a culture of risk avoidance rather than risk management, and had resulted in unnecessary restrictions to Pardelup prisoners accessing community work programs and paid employment off site. BACKGROUND Pardelup, located 27 kilometres from Mount Barker, has a fascinating 89 year history. It commenced operations in 1927 as an adjunct to Fremantle Prison, and in both national and international terms its philosophy and infrastructure when opened were ground- breaking: an open, fence-free rural location with a focus on positive farm-based work. Up until 2002, Pardelup operated as a prison, holding a maximum of around 80 prisoners. In 2002, during a short-lived drop in prisoner numbers, the decision was taken to downgrade it to a small work camp. Its maximum capacity was only 20 prisoners and actual numbers were often lower. Given that prisoner numbers were always destined to move back up, this was a short-sighted decision. It also resulted in a deteriorating state asset and serious under-utilisation of a site with real potential. In 2009, the government decided to invest in building up Pardelup’s prisoner numbers and in appropriate refurbishments. In March 2010, Pardelup formally regained its status as a prison. Presently it has a capacity of 84 prisoners, as well as being responsible for the Walpole work camp which has a capacity of 12 prisoners. WHAT WE FOUND Pardelup is unique amongst the state’s prisons: it has no perimeter security fence, and is the only prison operating exclusively with single cells. It is also a very large and open site where prisoners necessarily have access to tools, chemicals, and other materials. However, it has proved to be a secure and safe facility. Procedural and relational security processes were appropriate for a remote minimum-security prison. Careful prisoner