30/10/03
Justice Minister today said significant improvements were needed at the privately managed Acacia Prison at Wooroloo if it was to live up to its initial promise as a benchmark for the State's prison system.
Mrs Roberts said in the department's latest annual report the Acacia Prison continued to deliver services at a standard considerably below expectations and had failed to provide the level of prison services expected in the contract.
"As a result, AIMS Corporation has been penalised $356,756 in performance linked fees from its $23.03million contract," she said.
Mrs Roberts said the Acacia Prison was built under the previous Liberal Government and at the time it was touted to deliver cost effective benefits through privatisation.
"Acacia was cited as the 'flagship' of correctional practices by the Opposition, but the reality is we have a prison that is under-performing."
The Minister said the main areas where the prison was under-performing included:
- education and treatment programs;
- lack of reparative work opportunities for prisoners; and
- the lack of an indigenous health service.
There were also concerns about:
- management of security and intelligence issues;
- the high level of prisoner grievances;
- specific management needs for indigenous prisoners at Acacia;
- failure of management to adequately manage prisoner gratuities; and
- lack of on-the-job training for staff.
"While the prison's overall performance has been very disappointing, a recent change in management has resulted in a renewed sense of purpose and vigour at Acacia and I am hopeful the new team will turn the prison's fortunes around, " Mrs Roberts said.
Changes already implemented at the prison include:
- anti-bullying strategies;
- risk management plans and improved security processes;
- ongoing monitoring of progress on action plans derived from specialist monitor reviews; and
- cultural awareness training for staff.
"The department has also moved to ensure there is a more streamlined contract information system that will be readily accessible and allow for comprehensive analysis and reporting of activities at Acacia Prison," Mrs Roberts said.
She said despite the prison's poor overall performance, it was pleasing that there had still been no serious incidents, major disruptions or escapes from Acacia within its first two years of operation.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
