12 June 2007
The Department of Corrections today thanked the Ombudsmen for their timely report into prisoner transportation.
Chief Executive Barry Matthews says the report reinforces the thrust of work already underway by Corrections to improve prisoner transportation.
"Following last year's Prison Inspectorate report into the death of Liam Ashley, we set up a special project team to examine all our prisoner transportation procedures and to make changes where needed," say Mr Matthews.
"We have already taken steps to ensure prisoners are appropriately separated according to age as well as separating those prisoners potentially at risk from others during transport.
"We are now working with the Government to explore the use of restraints so that prisoners are physically unable to harm themselves or others during transportation. The Minister of Corrections has signalled that he will be making an announcement on this today."
Mr Matthews says the Department has already addressed, or will address, all the recommendations made by the Ombudsmen.
"Corrections is committed to making prisoner transportation as practical and safe for prisoners and the general public as possible, including the use of technology and operational changes to ensure that escorts are safe, secure and humane." says Mr Matthews.
"Of course the safety of staff is also a prime consideration. Any work that has the potential to impact on staff safety will be matters the Department will need to consult with staff and their representatives on."
Mr Matthews acknowledges that while the Department’s record on transporting prisoners is good, it is not perfect.
"We conduct hundreds of thousands of prisoner transportations every year and almost all occur without incident," says Mr Matthews.
"However, this report is a reminder of the death of Liam Ashley and will be a difficult time for the Ashley family. Incidents such as the death of Liam should not be allowed to happen and the work that is being done aims to ensure it does not happen again."
ENDS
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