❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Department of Corrective Services regarding the safety and compliance of prisoner transport vehicles, referencing past recommendations from the Inspector for Custodial Services. The Department's response indicates compliance with most recommendations, with some exceptions due to design and weight restrictions.
AnsweredQoN 391Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is this correct?
(2) How many of these modified vehicles does the Department and its contractors use for prisoner transport?
(3) Do all vehicles used for prisoner transport by the Department of Corrective Services and its contractors have a modification certificate issued by a competent mechanical engineer?
(4) What agency, business or person conducts these inspections?
(5) What agency, business or person issues these certificates?
(6) How often are the vehicles inspected for compliance with the issued certificate?
(7) When will the recommendations regarding the vehicles used for prisoner transport made by the Inspector for Custodial Services in his reports in 2001 and 2007 be fully implemented?
(8) How many of the vehicles acquired and/or modified since the tabling of the Inspector of Custodial Services’ report in 2007 comply with the recommendations made by the Inspector in that report, more specifically chapter 11, recommendations 27 and 28 of that report?
(2) How many of these modified vehicles does the Department and its contractors use for prisoner transport?
(3) Do all vehicles used for prisoner transport by the Department of Corrective Services and its contractors have a modification certificate issued by a competent mechanical engineer?
(4) What agency, business or person conducts these inspections?
(5) What agency, business or person issues these certificates?
(6) How often are the vehicles inspected for compliance with the issued certificate?
(7) When will the recommendations regarding the vehicles used for prisoner transport made by the Inspector for Custodial Services in his reports in 2001 and 2007 be fully implemented?
(8) How many of the vehicles acquired and/or modified since the tabling of the Inspector of Custodial Services’ report in 2007 comply with the recommendations made by the Inspector in that report, more specifically chapter 11, recommendations 27 and 28 of that report?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 May 2009
Responded by
Minister for Transport representing the Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
49 days
(1) Yes. The vehicles used for prisoner transport were originally built as commercial vehicles and require modification to ensure suitability for passenger transport.
All modifications before registration are certified by a qualified engineer. Vehicles modified after registration require a Modification Permit issued under the
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002
. Under these regulations, minor modifications may be approved by Transport Vehicle Examiners, and significant modifications are referred to the Vehicle Safety Branch for examination by the Technical Engineering section and if granted an engineering signatory is required.
(2) There are 10 prison-based secure escort vehicles and 34 contractor-operated secure escort vehicles.
(3) Yes.
(4) Vehicle modifications are certified by a qualified engineer, and subsequently inspected for approval by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for use as a passenger transport vehicle.
In some cases the modified vehicle is inspected by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
(5) The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is responsible for Secondary Manufacturers Compliance Plates and VSB 6 Modification Plates. The WA Department for Planning and Infrastructure is responsible for issuing Modification Permits.
(6) The vehicles are examined annually for roadworthiness and continued compliance with the Australian Design Rules.
(7) A set of Minimum Standards for Secure Escort Vehicles in Western Australia has been produced meeting the recommendations of the Inspector for Custodial Services. These standards are currently being applied to every new vehicle used for passenger transport being built.
(8) All vehicles acquired since the tabling of this report comply with recommendation 27 in its entirety. The majority of recommendation 28 has been complied with, except for a potable water supply and dual cabs for larger vehicles to accommodate a third officer due to design and weight restriction considerations. In these cases, however, alternative methods are adopted to ensure minimum standards are met.
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All modifications before registration are certified by a qualified engineer. Vehicles modified after registration require a Modification Permit issued under the
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002
. Under these regulations, minor modifications may be approved by Transport Vehicle Examiners, and significant modifications are referred to the Vehicle Safety Branch for examination by the Technical Engineering section and if granted an engineering signatory is required.
(2) There are 10 prison-based secure escort vehicles and 34 contractor-operated secure escort vehicles.
(3) Yes.
(4) Vehicle modifications are certified by a qualified engineer, and subsequently inspected for approval by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for use as a passenger transport vehicle.
In some cases the modified vehicle is inspected by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
(5) The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is responsible for Secondary Manufacturers Compliance Plates and VSB 6 Modification Plates. The WA Department for Planning and Infrastructure is responsible for issuing Modification Permits.
(6) The vehicles are examined annually for roadworthiness and continued compliance with the Australian Design Rules.
(7) A set of Minimum Standards for Secure Escort Vehicles in Western Australia has been produced meeting the recommendations of the Inspector for Custodial Services. These standards are currently being applied to every new vehicle used for passenger transport being built.
(8) All vehicles acquired since the tabling of this report comply with recommendation 27 in its entirety. The majority of recommendation 28 has been complied with, except for a potable water supply and dual cabs for larger vehicles to accommodate a third officer due to design and weight restriction considerations. In these cases, however, alternative methods are adopted to ensure minimum standards are met.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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