❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Justice Minister regarding the 'hannibal' restraint bed at Casuarina Prison and the involvement of specific personnel, particularly the Superintendent at the time of its creation and use. The Minister's answer details the history of the bed, the roles of involved staff, and assures that management positions are filled according to public sector standards.
AnsweredQoN 116Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the recent report of the Inspector of Custodial Services into Casuarina Prison -
(1) What is the current whereabouts and status of the photographed ‘hannibal’ restraint bed?
(2) Can the Minister also state who was the Superintendent at the time of the manufacture and use of the bed, and what has happened to this Superintendent in terms of his current position within the Ministry’s Prison Services Management at head office?
(3) Is he in a position whereby his antiquated sense of prisoner care and well being is being challenged?
(4) Does he still retain the status and conditions of a Superintendent?
(5) What is his current role?
(6) Who was in this role prior to his appointment, or has this position been created for him?
(7) What actions will the Minister take to ensure that only the highest qualities of management in terms of accountability and transparency exist within the Prisons Services?
(1) What is the current whereabouts and status of the photographed ‘hannibal’ restraint bed?
(2) Can the Minister also state who was the Superintendent at the time of the manufacture and use of the bed, and what has happened to this Superintendent in terms of his current position within the Ministry’s Prison Services Management at head office?
(3) Is he in a position whereby his antiquated sense of prisoner care and well being is being challenged?
(4) Does he still retain the status and conditions of a Superintendent?
(5) What is his current role?
(6) Who was in this role prior to his appointment, or has this position been created for him?
(7) What actions will the Minister take to ensure that only the highest qualities of management in terms of accountability and transparency exist within the Prisons Services?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 August 2001
Responded by
Minister for Racing and Gaming representing the Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs
Response time
23 days
(2-7) Mr R Stacey, the then Superintendent of Casuarina Prison organised the construction of the first such bed (then a restraints mattress) by the Upholstery Workshop in 1995. The use of such a restraint bed/mattress was authorised under the Director General’s Rules in November 1995. In 1997, the construction of the metal framing for the mattress was undertaken at the Canning Vale Metal Workshop, resulting in an updated version similar to that pictured in the report by the Inspector of Custodial Services. When the Office of the Inspectorate of Custodial Services was created in mid 2000, Mr Stacey was successful in being appointed to the position of Director Operations in that organisation and as such is not employed by the Department of Justice. The restraints bed was first used at Casuarina Prison in January 1998, following a critical incident in the Infirmary. Mr Tim Connolly was the designated Superintendent at the time. The position of Assistant Director Prison Improvement was created in 1999 to assist with the implementation of prison initiatives such as Cognitive Skills Training, Unit Management and the Integrated Prison Regime. Mr T Connolly acted in, and was subsequently transferred into this position in 2000. Mr Connolly retains the status and conditions of a Level 9 Public Servant. The selection of staff for management positions within Prison Services is managed in accordance with public sector standards and policies.
The restraints bed was first used at Casuarina Prison in January 1998, following a critical incident in the Infirmary. Mr Tim Connolly was the designated Superintendent at the time. The position of Assistant Director Prison Improvement was created in 1999 to assist with the implementation of prison initiatives such as Cognitive Skills Training, Unit Management and the Integrated Prison Regime. Mr T Connolly acted in, and was subsequently transferred into this position in 2000. Mr Connolly retains the status and conditions of a Level 9 Public Servant. The selection of staff for management positions within Prison Services is managed in accordance with public sector standards and policies.
The selection of staff for management positions within Prison Services is managed in accordance with public sector standards and policies.
The restraints bed was first used at Casuarina Prison in January 1998, following a critical incident in the Infirmary. Mr Tim Connolly was the designated Superintendent at the time. The position of Assistant Director Prison Improvement was created in 1999 to assist with the implementation of prison initiatives such as Cognitive Skills Training, Unit Management and the Integrated Prison Regime. Mr T Connolly acted in, and was subsequently transferred into this position in 2000. Mr Connolly retains the status and conditions of a Level 9 Public Servant. The selection of staff for management positions within Prison Services is managed in accordance with public sector standards and policies.
The selection of staff for management positions within Prison Services is managed in accordance with public sector standards and policies.
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