78: Report of an Announced Inspection of Albany Regional Prison

Albany Regional Prison is a male maximum-security prison with a short term female ‘suite’. Albany’s focus included managing Aboriginal, foreign national and long term prisoners. Previous inspections praised Albany as one of the state’s best prisons. The prison’s successful approach was known as the ‘Albany way’ with the four key ingredients being: (i)  Shared positive …

Traditionally, Albany prison has been amongst the best in the state. At this inspection Albany remained a best-practice facility. Prison management continued to demonstrate strong leadership. Albany’s healthy staff and prisoner relations had been maintained. Since the previous inspection Albany has had a large intake of new staff. Despite the onerous workloads caused by overcrowding, …

Albany continued to be a best-practice facility. It enjoyed strong and stable leadership, and maintained positive staff and prisoner relations. The prison continued to suffer from overcrowding, with 310 prisoners held in a prison designed for 250. Some units were in particularly poor condition. Aboriginal prisoners tended to be placed in the worst of Albany’s …

Provide the new health, educational and industrial facilities the prison has identified as necessary to the performance of its functions. Operate all four accommodation units with sufficient staffing and resources to meet the prison’s complex mix of functions. Ensure the consistent provision of all mandatory staff training. In addition provide language and cultural awareness training, …