The ACT Inspector of Correctional Services has recommended a range of improvements for ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS) and ACT Policing following his review into the escape of a detainee from an ACTCS escort last year.
In his critical incident review Report, Escape of a detainee from a secure escort on 9 July 2021, Inspector Neil McAllister said that, on 9 July, an Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) escort vehicle carrying a detainee and three Corrections Officers was rammed repeatedly by a Jeep, eventually forcing the heavily damaged escort vehicle off the road in Griffith where the detainee then fled in the Jeep.
“The three escort officers involved in this violent incident conducted themselves with absolute professionalism and are deserving of commendation for their actions on the day,” Mr McAllister said.
“The review concludes that while the escape was not reasonably foreseeable by ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS), there are matters that need to be addressed by ACTCS to minimise the likelihood of incidents of this type occurring in the future,” he said.
“This incident highlighted gaps in training and procedures to deal with secure escorts and escapes or attempted escapes from external escorts that need to be rectified by ACTCS.”
Mr McAllister said there also needed to be more support options available to staff involved in traumatic incidents to assist them in remaining at work or returning to work after sick leave arising from incidents.
The Inspector said he was disappointed that ACTCS had been using Camry sedans for secure escorts some 12 months after his Office raised concerns in its Review of the ACT Corrective Services Court Transport Unit (CTU) about whether they were fit for purpose in the escort role.
He made nine recommendations in total, eight to ACTCS to ensure secure vehicles were used to transport detainees; provide clear directions to staff about responses to incidents; review and document the roles, staffing, management and operation of the AMC Master Control Room; issue a directive to all staff on the disclosure of the occurrence of incidents to the public; review how external escort security arrangements were determined; put in place arrangements allowing the General Manager at AMC to request escort assistance direct to the Court Transport Unit; provide psychological support of staff involved in traumatic incidents; and enhance the tracking facility of all Operations vehicles in the AMC and CTU fleets.
Mr McAllister also recommended ACTCS and ACT Policing develop and implement a duress system for all Operations vehicles in the AMC and CTU fleets to provide for direct access to ACT Policing in the event of an emergency.
The Inspector’s 20-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
