No evidence of widespread organised corruption found in prison system

7/12/95

A report tabled in State Parliament has found no evidence of organised widespread corruption or criminality within Western Australia's prison system, Attorney General and Justice Minister Cheryl Edwardes said today.

However, Mrs Edwardes told Parliament that the Director of Public Prosecutions had found another chapter of WA Inc in regard to the cost over-runs with the construction of the Casuarina Prison by the previous Labor Government.

The Attorney General was speaking at the tabling of the Director of Public Prosecutions' Report on Inquiries into the Department of Corrective Services which examined and made recommendations on six issues.

"On the  issue of  cost over-runs in the Building Services Division of the former Corrective Services Department, including the design and construction of Casuarina Prison from 1984-91, the DPP's findings show a complete abuse of the process of  accountable Government," Mrs Edwardes said.

"In his report the DPP found that within the Building Services Division there was a significant lack of budgetary planning, inadequate cost reporting, tenders not called and demonstrable extravagance and waste on some projects, particularly Casuarina.

"As well, the DPP reports that some contractors seemed to have favoured status, work on one project was charged to another and there was almost constant abuse of obligations under the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, Treasury instructions and the use of Local Purchase Orders.

"In the words of the DPP 'control over expenditure of public monies was abandoned for a time on the Casuarina project.'

"According to the DPP, conservatively these cost over-runs in the Building Services Division are estimated at at least $18 million - a further addition to the WA Inc bill .

"However, I am pleased to report already many of the problems highlighted in the report have either been addressed or there is already in existence a specific plan to address them."

The Ministry of Justice has reactivated a working relationship with the Western Australian Building Management Authority consistent with the statutory mandates of both agencies.  They now work constructively together over building procurement needs and budgetary planning.

"In view of the adverse comments made by the DPP in respect of the actions of certain public servants, the Government is arranging for an appropriate experienced independent person to review the conduct of these persons and provide advice as to any further action required," Mrs Edwardes said.

On other issues the DPP found that:

*           allegations that certain senior prison officers and others were members of a Masonic Lodge and involved in corruption were false;

*           court proceedings were underway following the alleged assault against prisoner Derek Chapman on September 19, 1992;

*           court proceedings were underway following the alleged assault on prisoner   Mark McKenna

*           the Section Nine inquiries have been appropriate and thorough; and - 

*           allegations that officers in the prison system were drug trafficking, manipulating the promotional system, involved in suspected fraud and misusing prison labour were found to be unsubstantiated.

"The DPP has also concluded that there is no 'purple circle' responsible for systematic criminal behaviour in the prisons," Mrs Edwardes said.

She said the Government had already responded to some of the points raised by the DPP in his report and these included:

*           a review of the Ministry of Justice Special Operations Unit has been completed and new procedures for dealing with violent offenders are being used;

*           a new appraisal system for prison officers is currently being implemented;

*           new staff training modules are being developed;

*           sick leave has fallen from 107,000 hours to 76,000.  Overtime has virtually been eradicated; and -

*           a new manager is to be appointed to the Ministry's Investigations Branch.

Mrs Edwardes said that the report should re-instill confidence in the wider community in WA's prison system.

"The Government will continue to monitor the Ministry of Justice's reform program to ensure that its commitment to provide the people of WA with an efficient and effective prison service is maintained," Mrs Edwardes said.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777 or 018 906 948