Corrective Services – Report to Central Council February 9

PRIVATISATIONS?

Negotiations are continuing with the department on staffing arrangements and a work profile for the newly completed centres at Kempsey on the north coast and Dillwynia which is a new women's prison at Windsor against the background of a serious threat from State Treasury that the private sector will be invited to tender for the operation of these prisons. The department is required to report to the Minister and Cabinet Sub-Committee by the end of February.

Treasury's concern with the department having the responsibility for administering the new centres is the huge blowout in overtime spending on current centres.

The State Auditor in a recent report claimed that the average cost per inmate at Junee Correctional Centre which is privately operated is approximately $94 per day and the average for State run prisons is $180 per day.

The POVB has proposed a series of work reforms at the new centre including annualisation of salaries, 12 hour shifts, centralised rostering and the department has proposed negotiations on a flat payment for all overtime.

A Special Delegates' Meeting representing all centres will be held on the 25th or 26th February to determine the POVB's final position.

WILDCAT STRIKE

Following a lengthy disciplinary process a probationary officer stationed at the Metropolitan Reception & Remand Centre had his employment contract annulled. It is alleged by the department that he used excessive force against an inmate by striking him in the face five or six times while the inmate was held in a 'head lock' by another officer.

The delegates at the MRRC called stop work meetings and exhorted their colleagues at other centres to join them in a statewide strike. Five or six centres went on strike without consulting the Union or POVB Executive and the matter was referred to the IRC by the department.

The dispute was heard by Justice Staunton who directed all officers back to work. The Association has lodged an unfair dismissal application on behalf of the officer and this is proceeding in the normal way with the strike having had no impact or influence on the carriage of the unfair dismissal application.