68: Report of an announced inspection of Casuarina Prison

Casuarina had previously been found to be a well-managed prison suffering from a fast-growing population, increased overcrowding, excessive double bunking, underemployment, unemployment, ailing infrastructure and services, and inadequate custodial staffing. In the period between 2007 and 2010, the prison had been managed safely and without the occurrence of any major incidents, despite the population pressures. …

Casuarina continued to suffer from crowding, excessive double bunking, underemployment, unemployment, insufficient infrastructure and services, and inadequate custodial staffing. Too many out of country Aboriginal men were being held there without sufficient support. Prison management and staff had competently managed the prison’s crowded environment. Casuarina housed a complex mix of prisoners but appeared both secure …

Casuarina was crowded, with excessive double bunking. The prison had insufficient infrastructure and services, and custodial staffing. Prisoners suffered from excessive underemployment and unemployment. Too many out of country Aboriginal men were held, and were not well-supported. Casuarina was accommodating 694 prisoners, with a security profile of: 130 (18.7 per cent) maximum security; 449 medium …

Advise Casuarina management and staff about the additional resources which will be provided to expand the infrastructure, staffing levels, and service provision to meet Casuarina’s obligations to all its prisoners. In order to inspire confidence of all staff in the Performance Assessment Development System it should be reviewed and revised to ensure that (1) it …