Following its on-site inspections, OICS praised court custodial staff and contractors for their treatment of people held in Western Australia’s court custody centres.
Custody cell and affiliated rooms within 19 metropolitan and regional courts hold sentenced prisoners and people remanded in custody or charged with a crime before appearing in court.
Depending on the outcome of the court appearance, they are either freed, released on bail, transferred to a prison or taken to a WA Police lock-up.
OICS said the staff working in the court custody system showed a clear focus on managing the welfare of people in custody.
“Our inspection found that people held in custody were generally treated well, with staff demonstrating genuine concern for the care and welfare of the individuals in their custody,” its report said.
“Similarly, court custody staff worked well with other key stakeholders such as police, court staff and prison staff.”
OICS said a diversity of court custody infrastructure ranging from relatively modern facilities, ageing centres to those in registered heritage listed buildings posed maintenance and operational issues.
Department Director General Kylie Maj said operating WA’s court custody centres was a complex and interdependent process involving multiple internal and external stakeholders including contractors.
“All parties continued to work collaboratively to provide a high standard of service delivery, security and safety for people held in these centres, staff and the community,” she said.
“Maintaining and upgrading court custody infrastructure, subject to funding approval, were an ongoing priority.
“The Department’s Court Risk Assessment Directorate also conducts regular assessments of court locations to identify where improvements in relation to security and safety can be made.”
Chaplaincy and Faith Services Review
In a separate review of chaplaincy and faith services in the prison system, OICS said feedback on the day-to-day provision of these services was positive.
“Most prisoners and staff spoke highly of pastoral care and support they received from chaplains in custodial facilities,” the review report said.
The Council of Churches WA manages chaplaincy and pastoral care services in the State’s prisons under two contracts, which are due for re-tendering.
OICS recommended the Department and Serco, the private operator of Acacia Prison, incorporate an alternative chaplaincy model to accommodate the interfaith needs of a larger prisoner population.
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said the matters raised by OICS would be examined as part of the new contractual arrangements.
“Recommissioning of the contract will enable us to review and update the chaplaincy model and give consideration to alternative models and methods of service delivery,” he said.
“We recognise the importance religion and spirituality serves not only as a fundamental right but also as a protective factor for prisoners and will continue to strive to provide the best possible support.”
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