Department of Corrective Services' Annual Report 2012/2013
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Department of Corrective Services Annual Report 2012/2013 ISSN 1836-6538 (Print) • ISSN 1836-6546 (Online) This report provides information on the financial Hon J M Francis MLA and operational performance of the Department of Minister for Corrective Services Corrective Services for the 2012/13 financial year. In accordance with the Financial Management Act The report contains details of the Department’s 2006, I hereby submit for your information and achievements and challenges for the year. presentation to the Parliament of Western Australia, The information is presented online in an easy- the Annual Report for the Department of Corrective reference and interactive PDF. Services for the financial year ending 30 June 2013. Material in this report is subject to copyright and This report has been prepared in accordance with should not be reproduced without the consent of the the provisions of the Financial Management Act Department. 2006. Joe Francis Contact: Media and Public Affairs Heather Harker Department of Corrective Services A/Commissioner Level 8, 141 St Georges Terrace Department of Corrective Services PERTH WA 6000 24 September 2013 Telephone: 9264 1832 Fax: 9264 1522 Heather Harker Email: [email protected] © Department of Corrective Services 2013 This report was produced in-house by the Department of Corrective Services. 2 Department of Corrective Services Annual Report 2012/2013 Contents A snapshot of the year is available on page 7 Executive Summary Disclosures and Legal Compliance About Us.............................................................4 Compliance Reports...........................................79 Commissioner’s Summary..................................5 Contracts............................................................88 Snapshot: Year in Review 2012/13.....................7 Key Performance Indicators.........................................91 Snapshot: Finances............................................8 Financial Statements..................................................105 Legislation..........................................................9 Our Locations...................................................10 Organisational Chart........................................11 Significant Issues..............................................12 Performance Snapshot: Performance....................................14 Achieving Government Goals...........................16 Capital Works....................................................21 Adults in Custody.........................................................23 Offender Management......................................35 Offender Services.............................................41 Custodial Health Services................................48 Adult Community Corrections...........................51 Youth Justice Services......................................57 People and Organisational Development.........64 Professional Standards....................................70 Contracts/Non-Government Agreements..........77 Department of Corrective Services Annual Report 2012/2013 3 About Us Our Mission – Contribute to a safer WA community The Department of Corrective Services (“DCS” or “the » health care Department”) aims to contribute to community safety by » offence-specific programs upholding the integrity of custodial and non-custodial sentences » supervision and reporting and by positively influencing offender behaviour to reduce » counselling reoffending. » re-settlement services Offenders are managed in the State’s 14 prisons, two privately run prisons, four work camps and one juvenile detention centre » life skills as well through probation, parole and other community orders » cognitive skills. for young people and adults throughout the State. The outcome we aspire to achieve is: A safe, secure and decent Our facilities are spread throughout Western Australia, from corrective services which contributes to community safety and Wyndham in the north to Albany in the south, making it the reduces offenders’ involvement in the justice system. largest geographical jurisdiction in the world. On any given day This objective is behind all the work we do. It also aligns with we are managing close to 10,000 offenders, in custody or in our business outcomes which are: the community, many of whom are complex and challenging » contributing to community safety individuals who require careful supervision. » reducing reoffending The philosophy of making a positive difference encourages » contributing to community wellbeing through our service staff to consider how, in everything they do, they can improve activities community safety by positively influencing the lives of offenders. It’s about working together to improve the quality and » fulfilling our obligations as a government agency through effectiveness of our service delivery to gain better outcomes for operational compliance and enhanced capability. offenders and the community. Our Values “Making a Positive Difference” encompasses 10 key services which can potentially deliver better outcomes for offenders » Teamwork including: » Achievement » employment » Professionalism » a structured day » People » education and vocational training » Partnerships 4 Department of Corrective Services Annual Report 2012/2013 Commissioner’s Summary The year 2012/13 has probably been one of the most on March 1, 2013. Conference challenging since the Department of Corrective Services proceedings took place in the WA was created in 2006. The first six months of 2013 saw the Industrial Relations Commission and Department hit the headlines repeatedly; sadly this was not the strike concluded after 24 hours. because of the very positive and at times ground-breaking work At the end of the financial year, the undertaken in WA corrections. Department was close to finalising a new agreement with the Union. The negative publicity was damaging and difficult for all of us to deal with but I am confident that we are learning lessons and The Department’s realignment, which becoming a stronger Department. had been underway throughout 2012, took effect in January 2013. The new The challenges in the second half of the year have largely structure puts the Department in centred around the custodial environment. The January a stronger position to meet its core business aims: offender disturbance at Banksia Hill Detention Centre (BHDC) left management and public protection. extensive damage that resulted in most male detainees being relocated to a separate area of Hakea Prison, which was Many new initiatives and developments commenced gazetted as Hakea Juvenile Detention Centre. throughout the year, not least of which was the priority afforded to women offenders, with the publication of the Female Repairs to Banksia have taken longer than first hoped, however, Prisoners’ Plan 2012-2022. The opening of a women’s precinct it has been important that we focus on enhancing the safety and at Greenough Regional Prison in December 2012 was a step security of the facilities and procedures at BHDC to ensure staff in the right direction in providing decent accommodation and and detainees return to an environment that is much improved. better co-ordinated and tailored programs to meet the unique The reviews that are underway into the disturbance will provide needs of women. us with an opportunity to improve the management of young Having a holistic approach to the management of women offenders in detention and ensure that Youth Custodial Services offenders is critical and 2013/14 will see a focus on gaining regains its reputation as a national leader in the delivery of support to enhance female prisoner accommodation and the services to some of the most troubled youth in the State. provision of alternatives to custody that attract the confidence Another issue attracting media attention related to the WA of sentencing authorities. Prison Officers’ Union’s demands for better pay and conditions. The opening of West Kimberley Regional Prison (WKRP) in This culminated in our first strike action in about a decade Department of Corrective Services Annual Report 2012/2013 5 Commissioner’s Summary November 2012 reflected the Department’s commitment to Community Services in Partnership policy. A great example of meeting the needs of Aboriginal offenders and a desire to keep this is the Fairbridge Bindjareb Project, a training partnership as many prisoners as possible close to their home and culture. with mining firm Bis Industries and not-for-profit organisation WKRP’s links with the local community in Derby are already Fairbridge, which won a Comcare Work Health and Safety reaping benefits for the prison and the local area. Award in October 2012. Likewise, the opening of the privately-run Wandoo The Perth Children’s Drug Court was winner of the Youth Award Reintegration Facility for 18-24 year old male prisoners was at the WA Alcohol and other Drug Excellence Awards 2012, a a new venture in focusing on providing young male offenders joint submission the Department made with the Department with employment skills and opportunities to reduce the risk of Attorney General; and the Metropolitan Youth Bail Service of reoffending. Wandoo’s population has increased steadily was a finalist in the Strengthening Families and Communities throughout the year and will be closely monitored to evaluate category of the 2012 Premier’s Awards. the impact on what is normally a ‘hard to engage’ age range of offenders. Our North Metropolitan Youth Justice Services