The Palmer Report - Inquiry into the Risdon Prison Complex

Author: Mick Palmer AO APM

Date: March 2011

Overview: This briefing doc reviews the main themes and key findings of the Risdon Prison Complex (RPC) Inquiry, commissioned by the Tasmanian Minister for Corrections and Consumer Protection in October 2010. The inquiry was prompted by a series of incidents, including prisoner cell breaches, staff unrest, and the activation of the Tactical Response Group. The inquiry reviewed the prison's physical infrastructure, management practices, and prisoner treatment, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement.

Key Themes:

1. Deficient Management and Operations:

• A lack of clear leadership and accountability within the RPC is identified as a major concern. Siloed departments, a lack of routine management visits to all sections, and inadequate communication channels contribute to a fragmented and ineffective management structure.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are frequently outdated, deficient, or simply not implemented, impacting areas such as key control, tool management, duress alarms, and security screening.

• The report notes a dominant, custodial-focused approach to prisoner management that hinders a multi-disciplinary approach to rehabilitation.

• "The silo-like mentality separating the various functional groups and the marked division between uniformed staff and everyone else... is stifling the development of a multi-disciplinary approach to prisoner management."

1. Inadequate Prisoner Treatment:

• While basic needs such as food and medical care are generally met, the report highlights concerns regarding the lack of meaningful activities for prisoners, limited access to rehabilitation programs, and the overuse of solitary confinement, particularly in the Tamar high-risk management unit.

• The report highlights the damaging impact of prolonged solitary confinement, citing the Tasmanian Ombudsman's findings: "I conclude that as long as Tamar continues to operate as it has been, there is cause to be concerned for the mental and emotional wellbeing of the prisoners accommodated there".

• Concerns are raised about the treatment of vulnerable prisoners, including those requiring protection and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates.

• The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) system, intended to provide individualized support and reduce reoffending, is criticized for being ineffective and lacking substance in practice.

1. Physical Infrastructure Limitations:

• The new RPC, opened in 2006, suffers from design and construction issues, including inadequate space for education and industry workshops.

• The report expresses concern about the delayed Stage D redevelopment project, crucial for addressing overcrowding and enhancing rehabilitative facilities.

• The report recommends considering a more humane and less institutional design for future developments, drawing inspiration from Scandinavian models.

• "Having regard to the particular issues confronting the Tasmania Prison Service at RPC it may be prudent to consider a more humanising approach to any further development of RPC."

Key Findings:

• A need for strong leadership and a cultural shift towards a rehabilitative approach is paramount.

• SOPs need urgent revision and consistent implementation across all prison sections.

• Increased funding and staffing for rehabilitation programs and prison industries are crucial to providing prisoners with meaningful opportunities for personal growth and skill development.

• The overuse of solitary confinement needs to be addressed, with a focus on providing alternatives for managing challenging behavior.

• The physical infrastructure requires urgent upgrades, particularly through the completion of the Stage D redevelopment project.

• The specific needs of vulnerable prisoner groups need to be better addressed.

Important Facts:

• 66 prisoners were interviewed for the inquiry, providing valuable insights into their experiences.

• The inquiry found that many prisoners are not receiving their legislated minimum out-of-cell time.

• The report highlights the impact of Tasmania's small population on the prison system, with many prisoners knowing each other and potentially bringing external conflicts inside.

• The inquiry visited correctional facilities in other Australian states to observe best practices and draw comparisons.

Overall, the Risdon Prison Complex Inquiry highlights systemic issues that require urgent attention. The report provides a roadmap for reform, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift towards rehabilitation, improved management practices, enhanced infrastructure, and a more humane approach to prisoner treatment.