The Tasmanian Government notes the release of the Custodial Inspector’s Annual Report.
The Tasmanian Government remains firmly committed to addressing the issues raised by the Custodial Inspector in his reports that face the State’s corrections system, and work is already underway to address many of the issues he has raised.
In relation to funding concerns, I regularly meet with the Custodial Inspector and the 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget specifically responds to his requests by allocating an additional $3.25 million over four years to the Office of the Ombudsman, which will assist the Custodial Inspectorate and allow them to undertake further auditing of recommendations, and to undertake further inspections.
I will continue my strong focus on doing all our Government can to ensure the humane treatment and successful rehabilitation of prisoners, and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Correctional staff and the community.
We will continue to provide additional resources to support staff at our prison facilities to do this difficult job, and have already embarked on an intensive recruitment drive nationally, targeting experienced Correctional Officers and new recruits, to address the challenges within the prison service.
Our top priority is to keep Tasmanians safe, and the Department of Justice will provide advice to me on any further improvements that can be made, to ensure our prison system operates as efficiently and effectively as possible.