Corrective Services has announced that the Public Sector Commissioner is to review workforce practices and culture in the State’s prisons.
Minister for Corrective Services, Bill Johnston announced the review saying employment and industrial frameworks, workforce management practices and culture were the key areas identified in previous reviews as major constraints to operating the prison system more efficiently and implementing reforms.
Mr Johnston said that with 7,000 adults in 16 public prisons and one private prison, the State’s prison system cost more than $1 billion in 2020-21.
“With prisons expensive to operate, they must deliver services efficiently so taxpayers get the best value for money,” Mr Johnston said.
“Despite numerous reviews in the past and many recommendations, changes are just not happening.”
He said an independent examination of the impediments was necessary to get to the underlying issues and identify practical solutions to deliver improvements.
“I understand that another review is wearying for the Department and for prison staff, but things need to change,” Mr Johnston said.
“The review is being undertaken alongside the Department of Justice’s ongoing process of looking at the design of the prison network, the resourcing needs and performance of each prison, staffing and operations,” he said.
“The Auditor General is also starting an audit of prison rostering, including the use of overtime and entitlements.”
Mr Johnston said the PS Commissioner, Sharyn O’Neill, would consider a sample of public prisons and make findings and recommendations on the changes needed in the identified areas.
He said the review would work closely with the Auditor General and Department of Justice to minimise any overlap with their respective.
