Page 5300 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 29 November 2017
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In May there was the tragic death of Mr Mark O’Connor, whose toxicology report revealed a combination of methamphetamine and buprenorphine in his system. How there was methamphetamine in this man’s system we will hopefully find out once there is a report from the coroner. The facility clearly was not secure for him, for one reason or another. In June, during estimates hearings, it was confirmed that the AMC, in fact, held over 40 women at one time and up to 45.
At 6 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MRS JONES: In July Jonathon Hogan escaped from custody after being admitted to the Canberra Hospital for treatment. He was found three days later in regional New South Wales. Just three weeks later, in August, Aaron Jones escaped from custody while receiving treatment at the Canberra Hospital. He was not captured by police until, after 12 days of hard work, he was found in Campbell. Also in August was the bashing of two Indigenous brothers, a bashing so severe that they were hospitalised. What makes this worse is that the mother of the two Indigenous brothers found out via a friend and not via ACT Corrective Services.
In the same month I moved another motion in this place that the accommodation crisis in the women’s cell of the prison still had not been addressed. Two months earlier it had been confirmed that the AMC held the 45 women and we only have a dedicated facility for 29. At that point no action had been taken. My motion called for swift and effective action and answers.
In September it was revealed by the Canberra Times, after FOI requests, that Patrick McCurley and Jacob MacDonald, who escaped custody in September 2016, had a seven-hour head start. The report revealed the pair escaped at 11.13 pm on 2 September but guards did not realise they were missing until around 4.30 am on 3 September. ACT Policing was only alerted to the escape two hours later, at 6.20 am.
In October, eight months after my first motion and two months after my second motion calling for action on the lack of accommodation for women, the minister took action. The minister announced that women will be relocated to one of the new cell block facilities on the men’s side of the prison, with a capacity for 57. This move will be taking place shortly, and I acknowledge the work the minister has done to come up with what seems to be a genuine solution. I am glad we were able to bring some light to this matter, and I thank the minister for coming up with this solution.
To cap off a tumultuous year in the AMC, earlier this month the Canberra Times reported that a forensic investigation took place into the AMC detainees trust fund, which holds all detainees’ money from outside sources. It was reported that an anomaly was discovered. There are many questions about this. Despite the sensitive nature of the matter, the people of Canberra have a right to know. I note that in the minister’s amendments to be proposed he has outlined that the report has gone to a committee. I am keen to hear some more about that.
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