Prison is never an easy place to be, but at this time of year, when most of us are looking forward to spending Christmas with loved ones, the hard facts of imprisonment are really driven home to prisoners - and to their families. Of course, the prisoners made the decision to commit their crimes that put them there in the first place, but nonetheless, at Corrections, we make an effort to acknowledge the nature of the season, while making no concessions to the discipline and good order of our prisons.
I would like to thank all staff for their hard work this year, especially that done under pressure. We have had record prisoner and offender numbers this year, and in the tight labour market we’re operating in, I know that staffing has been an issue in some areas.
I also acknowledge how hard it has been at times to keep your morale up. 2007 has had its share of tragic incidents, which are very upsetting for all concerned. The sometimes sensational reports we see in the media do not help when you are doing a tough job that is seldom recognised by the wider community. Be assured that I know the calibre of the people we have working at Corrections, and I commend your hard work under difficult circumstances. Likewise, the Department can be proud of its many achievements that also go largely unnoticed by the media.
A special thank you goes to those staff who will be working over Christmas, whether in our prisons or keeping our community-based services running. Your time and dedication are appreciated. Mention should also be made of the numerous prisoner welfare groups, volunteers and members of our communities who rally round at this time of year to provide a little Christmas cheer to prisoners and their families.
Ombudsman Mel Smith’s report into the Criminal Justice Sector was released on Dec 5 and I welcome his informed, neutral and clear-headed summary of the issues. As he quite rightly points out, there is no “simple answer” to the complex problems of crime and criminal justice, though sometimes the media and other commentators seem to behave as though there is.
It is heartening to note that Mr Smith makes many encouraging and positive comments about Corrections. He acknowledges, for example, that we are doing very well in terms of reducing escapes, suicides and drugs in our prisons. He commends our drive to give more prisoners constructive employment and to help prisoners reintegrate back into the community when they have served their sentence.
He understands the pressures we are under, such as higher than forecast prisoner numbers, recruitment and training issues and the new demands imposed by the Effective Intervention initiatives. He comments that these challenges must be met by “strong leadership and determination”, qualities that, in his opinion, the Department possesses.
Mr Smith is critical of much of the media and public debate around criminal justice issues, calling it “uninformed and superficial”. He reports that the system is “not in any imminent danger of breakdown…[but is] suffering from a loss of public, and from comments made, political confidence.”
It is primarily for this reason that he suggests a Commission of Inquiry be set up to undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system. Such a Commission would ensure a thorough examination of all the issues and would mean we could proceed to make rational decisions about the best way forward.
May I wish you all a safe and happy summer, and I look forward to working with many of you in 2008.
Barry Matthews
Chief Executive
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ISSN 1178-8453