CPSU alarm over WA prison shortfalls

Date: 24 October 2000

Corrections Corporation of Australia - the private company responsible for Western Australia's court custody, security and prisoner transport services - is experiencing "some severe shortfalls in service delivery'" according to a Ministry of Justice memo seen by the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association.

According to the memo, "due to an extraordinary and unprecedented demand from Supreme and Central Law Courts over the next three months, CCA are going to experience some severe shortfalls in service delivery..."

The memo says the impact on prisons and detention centres will "mainly be in the area of medical escorts" and while CCA "will endeavour to offer some service in this area for those appointments which can't be rescheduled or are considered urgent...in some areas the service will be limited."

CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary Dave Robinson said the situation places an unreasonable burden on public sector workers, putting them in the invidious position of having to decide what medical cases are considered urgent.

He said it is further proof of the abysmal failure of the Court Government's contracting-out agenda.

Mr Robinson said the move to private contractor arrangements was launched with much fanfare by Justice Minister Peter Foss just five months ago and it was disgraceful that the current situation had been allowed to develop. He called on the Justice Minister to explain how "severe" the problem is.

"This is exactly the sort of crisis that can emerge when sensitive public services such as this are contracted to the private sector and the Government buys out of its responsibilities" Mr Robinson said.

"It appears inadequate contingency plans have been put in place to deal with the peaks and troughs of service demands.

"I now fear the health of prisoners may be at risk, with our members and other staff left to pick up the pieces."

Mr Robinson said the Union was concerned with what the situation means for the future, with CCA having been awarded the contract to manage the new Acacia Prison complex at Wooroloo. It is noteworthy that just last month the Victorian Government terminated CCA's contract to operate the Deer Park women's prison in Victoria.

Mr Robinson said if CCA is in breach of its contract obligations then that contract should be terminated. If no such service standards where included in the original agreement, then Justice Minister Foss has some explaining to do to the West Australian public.

For further information

Contact:	CPSU/CSA
Union:	Western Australian Unions
Phone:	08 9323 3800

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]