REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF MARCH 2013 GREENOUGH REgiONAL PriSON 83 REPORT Independent oversight that contributes to a more accountable public sector. Report of an Announced Inspection of Greenough Regional Prison Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services Level 5, Albert Facey House, 469 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000 www.oics.wa.gov.au March 2013 ISSN 1445-3134 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. Contents TE H INSPECTOR'S OVERVIEW GREENOUGH REGIONAL PRISON: A SOLID PERFORMER FACES SOME CHALLENGES ....... iii FCTA Page ...............................................................................................................................................vii C HAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................1 Context of the inspection .................................................................................................................................1 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................................3 General conclusions ..........................................................................................................................................4 C HAPTER 2 STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................................5 Planning for Greenough ...................................................................................................................................5 Planning for women prisoners ..........................................................................................................................7 Infrastructure and maintenance ......................................................................................................................10 C HAPTER 3 PRISON ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS ............................................................................... 16 Finance .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Human resources ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Staff training ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Communication and management .................................................................................................................. 17 Community relations ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Safety and security ..........................................................................................................................................20 Prisoner transport and movements ..................................................................................................................22 C HAPTER 4 PRISONER CARE AND MANAGEMENT ..............................................................................................24 Treatment of prisoners ....................................................................................................................................24 Reception and induction ................................................................................................................................24 Orientation .....................................................................................................................................................25 Accommodation and living conditions ...........................................................................................................26 Food ...............................................................................................................................................................29 Recreation ......................................................................................................................................................30 Family contact and visits .................................................................................................................................30 Peer support .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Complaints and grievances system .................................................................................................................. 31 Health services ................................................................................................................................................33 REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF GREENOUGH REGIONAL PRISON i C HAPTER 5 PRISONER REHABILITATION AND REPARATION ..........................................................................37 Assessment ......................................................................................................................................................37 Case management ...........................................................................................................................................38 Offender treatment programs .........................................................................................................................39 Education and training ...................................................................................................................................40 Industries and employment .............................................................................................................................42 Preparation for release .....................................................................................................................................45 C HAPTER 6 POPULATION DIVERSITY .......................................................................................................................47 Aboriginal prisoners .......................................................................................................................................47 Women prisoners ............................................................................................................................................49 Remand prisoners ........................................................................................................................................... 51 Minimum security prisoners ...........................................................................................................................52 A PPENDIX 1 THE DEPARTMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE 2013 RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................55 A PPENDIX 2 S CORECARD ASSESSMENT of the PROGRESS AGAINST the 2009 RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................................58 A PPENDIX 3 THE INSPECTION TEAM .......................................................................................................................... 61 A PPENDIX 4 KEY DATES ..................................................................................................................................................62 ii REPORT OF AN ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF GREENOUGH REGIONAL PRISON The Inspector’s Overview GREENOUGH REGIONAL PRISON: A SOLID PERFORMER FACES SOME CHALLENGES This report of an announced inspection of Greenough Regional Prison (‘Greenough’) conducted in October 2012 constitutes the fourth time this Office has reported to Parliament on the prison.i The overall conclusion of this Report is broadly consistent with the findings of earlier inspections: the prison generally goes about its business in an efficient way, free of major controversies and major incidents. However, it is in the midst of some very significant changes, including infrastructure upgrades, management changes and the influx of a larger number of female prisoners. These developments pose some very real challenges and some potential risks. OVERALL FINDINGS (a) Infrastructure Greenough prison opened in 1984 but looks much older than its 28 years. Its physical condition has deteriorated due to the ravages of the weather (including strong winds carrying a high salt content); an excessive reliance on transportable buildings, many of which are now more than 15 years old; and a reactive maintenance program which has not kept pace.ii These issues are compounded by the fact that the prison must accommodate many more prisoners than it was designed for, with around 40 per cent of prisoners sharing cells designed and intended for one.iii Fortunately, some significant infrastructure repairs and upgrades are in train, with the perimeter fence and the roof being current priorities. However, funding has only been confirmed for the fence and the first stage of the roof replacement. The whole site needs significant ongoing investment. (b) Staff and management As in 2009, members of staff generally have a ‘can-do’ attitude. They go about their work in a professional and cohesive way and it was positive to find that their perceptions of safety are better than