The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has highlighted ongoing corruption and misconduct risks in Victoria’s prisons in a special report.
Commissioner of the IBAC, Robert Redlich said the Commission had uncovered serious systemic corruption issues facing the corrections sector through its complaints handling, research, reviews and investigations over many years.
Commissioner Redlich said the Special report on corrections focused on four finalised investigations which exposed serious corruption risks, including excessive use of force; inappropriate strip-searching practices; misuse of information; inappropriate relationships; and trafficking of illegal and prohibited goods.
“The Report finds that Victoria’s prison system faces ongoing corruption risks and recommends ways the corrections sector can strengthen its policies, systems and practices to prevent wrongdoing,” Commissioner Redlich said.
“It also highlights the pressing need to address problematic workplace cultures,” he said.
Commissioner Redlich said preventing corruption was essential to achieving the aim of rehabilitating offenders and keeping Victoria safe and, where corrections staff failed to act with integrity, those aims were compromised.
The Commissioner said that in response to IBAC’s investigations, the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Corrections Victoria had taken actions to address corruption risks, including improving relevant policies and procedures; providing training to corrections staff; and restructuring reporting lines.
He said IBAC had advised of its plans to undertake further work with the Victorian Ombudsman to address cultural issues related to corruption and misconduct in the corrections sector.
“In light of this, IBAC welcomes the Victorian Government’s recent announcement of a review into Victoria’s adult custodial corrections system which will look at the culture, safety and inclusion, and integrity within the corrections system,” Commissioner Redlich said.
“I acknowledge the Department and Corrections Victoria have, and are continuing to, take actions to reduce a number of the corruption risks identified, however, there is a critical need for further action, as the matters highlighted in IBAC’s report are not isolated incidents.”
Commissioner Redlich said one of the most important and challenging areas was problematic workplace cultures that discouraged the reporting of suspected misconduct and corruption.
“The Department and Corrections Victoria have significant work to do to ensure that corrections employees feel safe and supported to report any concerns about suspected wrongdoing, so the risk of serious corruption is rooted out,” he said.
Commissioner Redlich said the Report made three recommendations, including that the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Corrections Victoria review and strengthen training, policies, systems and practices to address the corruption vulnerabilities identified; embed a culture of integrity across the corrections system; and that corrections officers be legally obliged to report suspected corrupt conduct.
IBAC’s 102-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
