Correctional staff at the Alexander Maconochie Centre ensured no one was injured or property damaged when fire broke out in the facility last November.
Reviewed by the Office of the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services, the review found staff responded swiftly to extinguish the fire.
The Inspector of Correctional Services, Neil McAllister said his Office’s review, Report of a review of a critical incident: Serious fire at the Alexander Maconochie Centre on 14 November 2020, made four public and four confidential, security-related, recommendations following the incident.
“The fire that occurred in Sentenced Cottage Two on the night of 14 November 2020 was very serious and caused significant damage to the cottage,” Mr McAllister said.
“It has also raised a major security issue of detainees being able to breach a locked door, which has since been addressed by ACT Corrective Services,” he said.
“This fire could have put the lives of 28 detainees at risk and the Corrections Officers who responded to this potentially disastrous fire are deserving of public gratitude and recognition for a job well done.”
Mr McAllister said the Review found some issues with the training of staff to deal with fires; access to the scene by ACT Fire and Rescue; and the suitability of Corrections Officers’ normal uniforms in hazardous situations.
The Office’s 16-page Review can be accessed at this PS News link.
