Ivan Potas remains as the Official Visitor

It sounds quaint, but the position of Official Visitor at the prison is an important one.

Shane Rattenbury has announced the incumbent Ivan Potas will remain in the role:

Minister for Corrections, Shane Rattenbury, has reappointed the Official Visitor to the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) Mr Ivan Potas.

Official Visitors are appointed under the Corrections Management Act 2007 to inspect correctional centres and other places where detainees may work or participate in activities.

Official Visitors also receive and investigate prisoner complaints and grievances. In addition to Mr Potas’ position, there is also an Indigenous Official Visitor, a role presently undertaken by Ms Tracey Whetnall.

“The Official Visitors provide an important oversight mechanism for the AMC. Together with other oversight bodies, such as the Human Rights Commission, Ombudsman and AuditorGeneral, the Official Visitors assist the Government to maintain high standards in corrections management in the Territory,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“The Official Visitors are an integral part of ensuring compliance with human rights principles and adherence to the Healthy Prison concept,” said Mr Rattenbury.

Mr Potas is a lawyer and research criminologist with extensive experience in the criminal law field. To date, he has served two years as an Official Visitor, and has been reappointed for a further 12 months.