❓ A parliamentary question addresses operational difficulties, security concerns, and incidents related to the Corrections Corporation of Australia's court security contract, with the Minister responding by acknowledging issues and outlining corrective actions.
AnsweredQoN 661Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(2) What difficulties have been experienced? (3) What action has been taken to resolve these difficulties? (4) Have any concerns been expressed to the Ministry about the operation of the court security contract by Corrections Corporation of Australia? (5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 October 2000
Response time
34 days
The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(3) What action has been taken to resolve these difficulties? (4) Have any concerns been expressed to the Ministry about the operation of the court security contract by Corrections Corporation of Australia? (5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(4) Have any concerns been expressed to the Ministry about the operation of the court security contract by Corrections Corporation of Australia? (5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(3) What action has been taken to resolve these difficulties? (4) Have any concerns been expressed to the Ministry about the operation of the court security contract by Corrections Corporation of Australia? (5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(4) Have any concerns been expressed to the Ministry about the operation of the court security contract by Corrections Corporation of Australia? (5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(5) What are the nature of these concerns? (6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(6) Since the contract has been implemented, has Corrections Corporation of Australia at any time failed to maintain control of anyone appearing before any court? (7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(7) If so, what were the circumstances? (8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
(8) Is the Minister able to assure the people of Western Australia that the contract with Corrections Corporation of Australia will ensure the safety of people attending court? Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
Answered on 10 October 2000 The Minister Replied: The Minister for Justice has provided the following reply: (1) Some operational difficulties have been experienced in the implementation phase of the Court Security and Custodial Services contract. (2) The late arrival of prisoners at metropolitan courts during the first week of operations and the inability of the contractor to resource some service tasks due to initial service demand exceeding available trained staff. (3) Revised transport schedules have overcome the late delivery of prisoners to courts. Additional staff have been recruited and are currently being trained. (4) Yes. (5) Refer to 2. above. (6) Yes. (7) On 8 August 2000, a prisoner appearing before the District Court for sentencing became agitated and returned to the court detention centre by the door at the rear of the dock. On 4 September 2000, a prisoner appearing in the Midland Court of Petty Sessions broke away from the dock guard and escaped from the court. The prisoner was recaptured within minutes, a short distance from the court. (8) The contractual arrangements between the Ministry of Justice and Corrections Corporation of Australia provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the safety of people attending court. You should not assume that there have been no problems under the previous government employee arrangements. It is just that government employees do not have the same accountability mechanisms or scrutiny. It is the Government's intention to subject all performance to the same scrutiny.
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