Page 2421 - Week 08 - Thursday, 5 August 2021
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It is curious that more weapons should be the answer when, in the 2019 review of the Alexander Maconochie Centre, none of the 73 recommendations called for a review of the arms policy. I look forward to reading the inspector’s report in relation to this, when it is released, in due course. Of course, correctional officers should have the capability to respond to violent situations appropriately, while ensuring the safety of themselves and their detainees. This should be non-controversial and have the support of all parties here, but it seems that consensus eludes us. We should also acknowledge the close relationship between detainee safety and the safety of the jail staff.
Here we have a chance to live up to the initial promise of a human rights-compliant prison. What would be an effective and meaningful intervention to improve the lives of both correctional officers and detainees? Community stakeholders unanimously agree that the problems in the prison are most strongly related to boredom, lack of meaningful rehabilitation, training, employment and engagement activities, combined with extended periods of lockdown. We now have a once in a -generation opportunity to turn around the foundational issues of AMC through the planned reintegration centre.
Not adequately funding the vision of the prison in the first place has led to many of the systemic shortfalls that we have seen, as I mentioned earlier. The history of the AMC is that it was built too small. It was built with no industries. We have been playing catch-up ever since in trying to overcome some of those issues that relate to the original design and the intentions of the facility.
With the reintegration centre and the suite of justice reinvestment packages committed to in the PAGA, we have the opportunity to turn AMC around. The vision of justice reinvestment is one where detainees and correctional officers alike are safe, well-respected and connected to their communities. The new reintegration centre will deliver up to 80 beds and increase the range of rehabilitation programs available to detainees. Delivered in partnership with non-government and government organisations, enhanced programs will include trauma and relationship counselling; alcohol, tobacco and other drug rehabilitation; and other training, including job skills, to support detainees to stay out of the justice system.
Overall, the justice reinvestment package will deliver the Greens focus on bringing together strengths-based supports and inclusive pathways that lead to better life outcomes for people cycling in and out of prison. This is a smarter, more cost-effective approach to our justice system; it helps keep families together, reduces crime and builds a safer and more secure Canberra for all of us.
Happily, creating a rehabilitation focus in the prison, both structurally and organisationally, will almost definitely lead back to the outcomes that are sought by this very motion—that is, better mental health and wellbeing for correctional officers. Research shows that officers who possess a human service or rehabilitation orientation experienced considerably less job stress than those who did not endorse such a position. In this way, everybody can win.
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