23 February 2011

Corrective Services to be reviewed

| johnboy
Join the conversation
11

Attorney-General Simon Corbell has announced ACT Corrective Services is going to be raked over the coals by Keith Hamburger AM.

Mr Hamburger’s review will compliment the work he is finalising in relation to his one year review of operation at the AMC,” Mr Corbell said.

“I have requested this review following advice to me from Corrective Services that they have not adhered to stated policy and procedures in relation to drug testing of prisoners on admission to the AMC.

“The procedure of Corrective Services is that all prisoners are tested for illicit drug use, by urinalysis, on admission to the AMC. Advice I have received indicates that this testing has not routinely taken place, while random and targeted drug testing on prisoners has continued.

“Testing on admission is not done for the purpose of detecting drug use within the prison, testing on admission detects drug usage prior to prison entry. No discipline action results from entry testing, and it does not provide an indication of drug usage within the AMC.

“Admission testing is used to provide baseline data in regard to prisoner drug usage prior to admission.

“Nevertheless it is also clear to me that Corrective Services has failed to ensure it has the appropriate reporting and monitoring checks are in place to ensure that such procedures are being adhered to.

He’s really not a happy chap about this:

“This is a fundamental failure on the part of Corrective Services and the Government is not prepared to tolerate such inadequate and incorrect advice. The Government expects timely and accurate advice in relation to all aspects of Government operations. For this reason I can confirm today that I have directed the following actions to occur.

1. A complete review of governance, accountability and monitoring practices in Corrective Services;
2. An investigation of why procedures of urinalysis on admission to the AMC were not implemented and how the Government was misled about drug testing practices; and,
3. Recommendations on measures to be taken to prevent any re-occurrence of this critical failure.

The problem is that, while this particular failing is news to us, the general failings of Corrective Services, particularly in administering the prison, have been painfully obvious to even the disinterested observer for years now.

In fact after ten years in power it is a shame that the Stanhope Government is only just waking up to the failings of the departments and agencies they were supposed to be responsible for.

Join the conversation

11
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

jmb1987 said :

Anna Key said :

So Corbell is slamming the department, but didn’t he recently promote Barry Folpp, despite his mismanagement over the past 10+ years

Anna…better get your facts straight.

1. Barry Folpp has not been promoted. He is currently ACTING as the Executive Director of Corrective Services.
2. Barry has not been part of the service for the past 10 years. His contract commenced in 2007. Not sure how you calculate this to be 10 years.

If you are going to point the finger…why not look at the former ED James Ryan who ran to organisation for 12+ years.

Moreover, lets look at Justice and Community Services (JACS) – who are responsible for Corrections – and look at their lack of management/governance of how the agency performs. Surely Kathy Leigh (CEO of JACS) has a case to answer here.

Sorry, didn’t realise Barry was the work experience kid. So if he is ACTING, he isn’t in charge. Thanks for clarifying. So who was the guy who ran BRC?

And I would include Ryan as part of the long term mismangement of corrections, but I doubt if his retirement is part of the review.

Anna Key said :

So Corbell is slamming the department, but didn’t he recently promote Barry Folpp, despite his mismanagement over the past 10+ years

Anna…better get your facts straight.

1. Barry Folpp has not been promoted. He is currently ACTING as the Executive Director of Corrective Services.
2. Barry has not been part of the service for the past 10 years. His contract commenced in 2007. Not sure how you calculate this to be 10 years.

If you are going to point the finger…why not look at the former ED James Ryan who ran to organisation for 12+ years.

Moreover, lets look at Justice and Community Services (JACS) – who are responsible for Corrections – and look at their lack of management/governance of how the agency performs. Surely Kathy Leigh (CEO of JACS) has a case to answer here.

Mental Health Worker7:34 am 24 Feb 11

“Did the guards who failed to monitor the psychologist in the prison van pay? Dont think so.”

Read the inquest report http://www.courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/dec/Lioulios.htm and explain how the “guards” were expected to monitor Dr Lioulios when the layout and equipment of the van did not allow them to. Yes, there were mistakes made but an objective reading of the inquest will lead you to lay more blame at the feet of ACT Mental Health (CATT) than ACT Corrective Services.

No comment on the drug testing regime – way too sensitive.

MHW

mp2615 said :

I relish the outcome, there could be egg on his face

I very much doubt it because as Pollyanna eludes too, nothing has stuck to the teflon coated Stanhopeless mob yet. This thing will probably never hit the fan and what is the time frame?? Before or after the next election?

So Corbell is slamming the department, but didn’t he recently promote Barry Folpp, despite his mismanagement over the past 10+ years

wildturkeycanoe9:04 pm 23 Feb 11

Comments #2 + #3….beeeaaautiful!!!! Amazing stuff. Now, what was the story about?

“Mr Hamburger’s review will compliment the work he is finalising in relation to his one year review of operation at the AMC,” Mr Corbell said.”

Warning…warning…off topic pet peeve alert….

Mr Hamburger’s review will *complement* the work he is finalising…

Otherwise the review will just consist of him patting himself on the back about some other stuff he did.

…end alert. Normal transmission will now resume….

Good on Simon,

Someone in corrective services will pay. Did the guards who failed to monitor the psychologist in the prison van pay? Dont think so.

Stanhope said someone would pay for the unnoticed 100,000 tons of asbestos waste, have they?

Did anyone pay for the 2003 firestorm?

I think corrective services are pretty safe and they know it.

Go Simon, you personify strong (not) government.

I relish the outcome, there could be egg on his face

Pommy bastard3:32 pm 23 Feb 11

Will they give him a grilling? Will they be hauled over hot coals? Will they flip him or toss him? Will they give him sauce? Will he be cheesed off by them? He’d better ketchup quick or he’ll be in a pickle.

Oh, come on, someone had to!

“Mr Hamburger’s review will compliment the work he is finalising in relation to his one year review of operation at the AMC,” Mr Corbell said”

Does he really mean to pat himself on his back ? or is Mr H looking to enhance the work he has already done ?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.